Media release – Pharmacy Guild Tasmanian Branch, 12 July 2022
TASMANIAN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES EXPERIENCE HIGH PUBLIC INTEREST IN COVID-19 WINTER BOOSTER
Within minutes of the release of the ATAGI guidance lowering the eligibility age for a fourth COVID-19 vaccination dose or ‘winter booster’, Tasmanian community pharmacies’ phones were running hot with people wanting to make appointments according to the Pharmacy Guild’s Tasmanian Branch President Helen O’Byrne.
The announcement means that more people who may be at risk of complications from COVID-19 infections are eligible to receive a second booster.
“We know that the highly infectious strains of the Omicron variant combined with spiking flu cases means that more people are experiencing illness”, Ms O’Byrne said. “Plus we have high levels of domestic travel coinciding with school holidays, resulting in potentially higher caseloads, particularly where people are experiencing long wait times at airports.”
Ms O’Byrne encouraged people to speak with their pharmacist about ensuring their COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are up to date.
With the Tasmanian Government extending the free flu jab program to the end of July, both vaccinations are available at no charge.
Ms O’Byrne also welcomed the Federal Government’s recent announcement that restrictions on access to antiviral medications are to be eased with the medications now available to anyone over the age of 70 as well as people aged over 50 with two or more risk factors for severe disease, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors for severe disease and in some cases immunocompromised people over 18.
These new measures will help reduce the impact COVID-19 has on patients from those vulnerable cohorts who contract the virus.
“The expanded PBS criteria for prescribing antiviral medications means more people who need them will be able to get the medicines prescribed for them,” Ms O’Byrne said. “It is important to test if experiencing symptoms and if positive call a GP or contact Tasmania’s COVID@homeplus to receive care and access to the antiviral medication.”
Ms O’Byrne urged Commonwealth and State Governments to work together to improve access for eligible COVID-19 positive patients, especially those over 70.
“It is vital that antiviral medications are started as soon as possible after patients test positive but in my experience there are often unacceptable wait times for people to be assessed as part of the COVID@homeplus service and difficulty accessing GP appointments, resulting in them missing the critical early timeframe to start the therapy.”
“Telehealth is not an option for many due to costs involved if the doctor seen isn’t the patient’s regular GP, as the consultation is not covered under Medicare.”
There have been calls to enable pharmacists to initiate the medications, based on eligibility and Ms O’Byrne believes that this approach could help speed up access given the current caseloads.
Ms O’Byrne also called on the State Government to provide support for pharmacies who are required to deliver medications to those who are isolating.
“If someone is COVID positive they are required to isolate which means that their prescribed antiviral medication needs to be delivered and the dosage instructions explained”, Ms O’Byrne said.
“The previous Federal Government’s payment for pharmacy delivery services provided to pharmacies at the height of the pandemic ceased on June 30.”
“Community pharmacies will always do what they can to support their patients, but support to ensure businesses are not out of pocket in providing important services would be very welcome.”
