Pharmacy Daily | Pharmacy owner delivers free flu vax

SOUTH Australian pharmacists, Irfan Hashmi and Sobia Irfan, are taking steps to ease the burden on general practice and hospital health services by offering free influenza vaccines to vulnerable groups.

The move came in response to the COVID-19 crisis, with the 2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia SA Pharmacist of the Year working with Multicultural Communities Australia to provide immunisation services to at-risk patients, by removing the barrier of cost.

Hashmi, who owns the TerryWhite Chemmart Cumberland Park pharmacy in Adelaide, and is a director of the Aussie Discount Chemist group, which operates stores across regional parts of the state, said the campaign had been an "instant success".

"The program was initiated with our pharmacy in Adelaide, but due to the overwhelming response we expanded it to reach country towns like Port Pirie and communities in Whyalla and Port Augusta through out pharmacy in Quorn, and the Mildura region through our pharmacy in Merbein," he said.

"We have already vaccinated around 300 individuals free of cost, including those who do not have access to Medicare benefits like international students... parents of Permanent Residency visa holders and immigrants.

"This year due to the pandemic crisis and increased need for immunisation, we have had a huge influx of customers for vaccines.

"I have travelled back and forth on weekends to do special flu clinics in country towns Orroroo and Coober Pedy.

"I also organised an on-site flu clinic for Coober Pedy Council members, and staff of Quorn's council were welcomed at the Quorn pharmacy.

"We were also one of the pharmacies offering vaccination through the Pharmacy Guild Corporate program [and] we have had fully booked Flu Clinics in all our pharmacies.

"But, keeping in mind that many people have been affected financially as well due to COVID-19, we decided to step up and offer free vaccines because a healthier community will lessen the burden on our hospitals and general practitioners by providing them protection against, flu symptoms/Influenza."

Hashmi said the group had also arranged free flu clinics at the Pooraka Imam Ali Mosque, the Marion Mosque and a temple in Allenby Garden in recent weeks.