The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch’s Acting President, Chris Owen, welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that all eligible community pharmacies in Queensland will be able to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations.
“Today’s [22 June] announcement from the Prime Minister is very welcomed and a relief for many community pharmacists who simply want to help Australians get vaccinated. Let’s get this done, Queensland – let’s get vaccinated and get back to normal,” says Mr Owen.
“The Prime Minister said that starting Monday, 26 July, eligible community pharmacies can apply to join the rollout. This announcement will mean that once approved, all eligible community pharmacies in regional and urban areas of Queensland can begin offering Covid-19 vaccines to community members once they are certified and trained.”
Mr Owen thanked Scott Morrison for putting Queenslanders first and accelerating the Covid-19 vaccination rollout.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement will help accelerate the other 521 community pharmacies in Queensland already assessed as suitable by the Commonwealth to be included in the rollout immediately,” says Mr Owen.
“It is imperative that these community pharmacies are brought online quickly given the need to vaccinate as many Queenslanders as quickly as possible and the decentralised nature of our state.”
“Having completed the same training as doctors and nurses, there is now no reason for community pharmacy not to have access to all the vaccines. Patient choice is a fundamental element of Australia’s healthcare system and should be maintained.”
“The only way to ensure we can stop these revolving lockdowns is to get as many people as possible vaccinated,” says Mr Owen.
“Community pharmacies are highly accessible, with 97% of consumers in capital cities and 66% in regional areas living within 2.5km of a pharmacy. Pharmacies are also the most frequently visited primary healthcare destinations, and staff are well placed for significant interactions with members of the public,” says Mr Owen.
“Anyone administering a Covid-19 vaccine in community pharmacies has undergone the Commonwealth’s mandatory training with the Australian College of Nurses on this specific vaccine.”
