A day to celebrate

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) rejoices over today’s commencement of immunisation against COVID-19 through community pharmacies.

 

Today, 49 regional and remote Queensland pharmacies have commenced immunising Australians against the COVID-19 virus. PSA has been lobbying to secure pharmacist involvement in the strategy over recent months and is delighted to see that this has come to fruition.

 

PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said today is a turning point in Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

 

“Today is the day that many rural communities have been waiting for, with Queensland community pharmacies able to help vaccinate and protect them against COVID-19.”

 

“This adds to those pharmacists in hospitals, general practice, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) who have been involved in the COVID19 vaccine rollout thus far.”

 

“We are at a critical juncture in Australia’s fight against this deadly disease and pharmacist involvement must run parallel with the increasing supply of these highly-effective vaccines.”

 

“Pharmacists around the country are vaccine champions and we are ready to play our part by joining the primary care rollout, emulating Queensland’s lead.”

 

PSA welcomes comments from the Victorian Health Minister, Martin Foley, over the weekend that the state is looking to similarly activate rural and outer suburban pharmacies where there are currently gaps in vaccine access.

 

PSA calls for further collaboration between governments and pharmacy organisations, using Queensland pharmacies’ involvement in rollout as the springboard to immunising the population.

 

PSA is dedicated to supporting pharmacists in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine both safely and effectively to the public, and pharmacists around the country remain ready and on standby to support the strategy.

 

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Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463