Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced on Sunday that Australia’s approximately 5800 community pharmacies would be invited to participate in the delivery of the AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine later this year.
Community pharmacies will be an important partner in the rollout of coronavirus vaccines alongside hospitals and GP offices — doubling vaccine sites Australia-wide to 2000.
Avenel pharmacist Martin Sala from Avenel Pharmacy said he welcomed the decision to have the vaccine administered in pharmacies.
“We’ve sent an expression of interest. You have to tick all the boxes like you do with flu shots to ensure you have the equipment, a sterile injecting room and ability to space customers,” he said.
“Our team is familiar with the vaccination process but it’s a bit different to the flu shot because there’s two. Training is probably more theoretical than actually administering the dose. We need to learn what side effects might be out there and people’s possible reactions to it.”
Participation in the program will be voluntary, with pharmacists needing to demonstrate they have the capacity and capability to deliver COVID-19 vaccines while continuing to provide vital services to their local communities.
The expression of interest process began recently, with an expected rollout in pharmacies across the nation in May when Phase 2A of vaccinations commence.
Phase 2A is when vaccinations will become available to people over 50 years old, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other critical or high-risk workers.
Mr Sala said he understand concern about the vaccine but encouraged people to trust the process.
“There’s a fair bit of debate and worry about the timeframe but it’s been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and very reputable companies,” he said.
“I understand this one looks like it’s been hastily thrown out into the market but with the situation as it is, a quick response was needed.”
Locations for the vaccine distribution are still being finalised, with the training of health professionals involved in the program expected to be rolled out in February.
Dennis Kilmartin Pharmacy and Chemist Discount Centre in Seymour have also submitted an expression of interest to administer the vaccine.
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