Media release – Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, 17 June 2021

PHARMACY GUILD URGES STATE GOVERNMENT TO ACT ON ALLOWING COVID-19 VACCINATION IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES

The Tasmanian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia is concerned that Tasmania appears to be lagging behind the rest of Australia in implementing National Cabinet’s decision to incorporate community pharmacies into the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

Branch President, Helen O’Byrne said “the Guild wrote to the Health Minister at the end of April when this announcement was made, calling for quick action to ensure communities across Tasmania have as much access as possible to the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The Guild’s information is that other State and Territory governments have acted quickly to initiate the process to include community pharmacies in the rollout – with pharmacies in Queensland already vaccinating and planning in other States and Territories well under way, with some moving towards a mid-July start.

“We have no information on whether planning has even started in Tasmania”, Ms O’Byrne said. “I understand that in Tasmania the Federal and State coordination of COVID-19 vaccinations means that approximately 31% of the adult population has received at least one of the two required doses, which is a solid achievement.”

“However there are many areas across Tasmania with limited or no local appointment availability for a COVID-19 vaccination, making it difficult for many people to receive this important protection against infection – which potentially leads to apathy and hesitancy.”

“Our members as trained healthcare professionals are committed to supporting the Government’s efforts by playing their part in delivering the vaccine to their local communities.”

Ms O’Byrne said that incorporating community pharmacies into the roll out efforts will undoubtedly bolster the numbers of Tasmanians receiving the vaccination.

“We have done the same training as doctors and nurse immunisers and many pharmacies have extended opening hours, a benefit for many people”, Ms O’Byrne said. “Importantly, community pharmacists are highly accessible and trusted health care professionals and are well placed to assist with vaccine hesitancy by providing the most up to date clinical information as well as reassurance to their local community.”

“The Guild stands ready to assist the Government to move quickly to initiate the process to incorporate community pharmacies into the COVID-19 vaccination rollout to ensure Tasmanians have the same level of access to protection from infection as the rest of the country”, Ms O’Byrne said.

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