According to The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch’s Acting President, Chris Owen, Queenslanders have accessed almost 30,000 Covid-19 vaccinations through the 700 Queensland community pharmacies administering vaccinations in metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
He adds that community pharmacies across Queensland are now working around the clock to meet the demand from Queenslanders.
“We’ve been amazed at the response from Queenslanders across the state wanting to come in and have access to Covid-19 vaccinations,” says Mr Owen.
“In particular, we have seen a lot of interest from the community with pharmacies located in the urban areas.
“The feedback we’re receiving is that Queenslanders welcome the ability to access the vaccine through their local community pharmacy.
“With 97% of consumers in capital cities and 66% in regional areas living within 2.5km of a pharmacy, it makes sense for pharmacy to be at the forefront of the rollout.
“Community pharmacies are also the most frequently visited primary healthcare destinations,” he says.
Mr Owen reiterates that to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s imperative that anyone “over 18 should get the vaccine”, adding that, as primary healthcare experts, community pharmacists are “readily available to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine’s risks and benefits to ensure that patients make informed decisions”.
“Regardless of your age, when you arrive at your community pharmacy, your pharmacist will undertake a health assessment and discuss the risks and benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine,” says Mr Owen.
“Both the patient and vaccinator need to be satisfied that the benefits outweigh the risks before any vaccination takes place.
“Anyone administering a Covid019 vaccine in community pharmacies has undergone the Commonwealth’s mandatory training within the Australian College of Nurses on this specific vaccine.”
According to Mr Owen, community pharmacies have continued to receive doses of AstraZeneca and will begin offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in September 2021.
To see a list of all Queensland community pharmacies that are administering the Covid-19 vaccine, visit: Queensland Covid-19 Vaccinations.
