THE Tasmanian Department of Health has identified a pharmacy in the north-west of the state where expired COVID-19 vaccines may have been administered.
The Guild's Tasmanian branch President, Helen O'Byrne (pictured), acknowledged the situation and encouraged individuals to consider the advice about COVID-19 vaccinations provided by the Department of Health, relevant to their age and health.
O'Byrne stressed that this breakdown in the stringent vaccine workflow processes was an event limited to a single pharmacy and that pharmacist immunisers working in community pharmacies have safely administered hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines to Tasmanians.
"As a fellow practising pharmacist, I am proud of the work that pharmacists working in our community pharmacies have done since the COVID-19 vaccine rollout," O'Byrne said.
"And I want to emphasise that Tasmanians can continue to have faith in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination services provided at their local pharmacy."
She added that while it was unfortunate, that people may not have received vaccines within the expiry range, vaccines given past their expiry date do not cause harm but may not provide full protection against COVID-19.
"Like influenza vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine is designed to help reduce serious illness if you contract the virus, however, the vaccines do not stop you getting COVID-19", O'Byrne explained.
She also noted that many people in the state have experienced at least one COVID-19 infection, and this has provided increased immunity in conjunction with protection provided by the recommended course of COVID-19 vaccine boosters.
"This is a timely reminder for individuals of all ages to keep up to date with their COVID-19 boosters," O'Byrne remarked.
All pharmacists when dispensing medications, including vaccines, routinely check manufacturer expiry dates to ensure that medications are safe and effective.
COVID-19 vaccines have expiry date protocols, including manufacturer expiry dates and a shorter vaccine shelf life once the vaccine has been thawed in readiness for transport and administration.
"Of course, this incident serves as a timely reminder to all pharmacies to ensure there are correct processes, subject to re-evaluation and continuous improvement, in place and that their pharmacist staff are aware of what is required of them," O'Byrne said.
Tasmanian pharmacists will soon be able to deliver a wider range of vaccines to eligible Tasmanians as part of the Govt's expansion of the National Immunisation Program (PD 04 Jan 2024).
O'Byrne said that the approval process required by the State Health Department is robust and serves as another opportunity to reflect on current procedures within the pharmacy and make changes where required. JG
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