QUEENSLAND Health is waiting to hear back from 105 regional and rural pharmacies it has invited to join its COVID-19 vaccination (COVAX) campaign (PD breaking news).
The move came just over two weeks after pharmacist immuniser, Sue Pocock from Footes Boonah Pharmacy in Queensland, administered the first COVAX dose in an Australian pharmacy (PD 07 Jun), following the State Government's activation of 49 stores as part of an initial phase of the vaccine rollout.
Confirming the expansion of pharmacy-based COVAX services Queensland Health spokesperson told Pharmacy Daily that the State Government was "working with the Federal Government to activate community pharmacies who have expressed interest in participating in the COVAX program across the state, to ensure equitable access to the vaccine, particularly in areas where there are no primary care-led vaccination services".
Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, said the move would bring the number of pharmacies invited to participate in the COVAX rollout to 372 nationwide, with the South Australian Government announcing that it planned to green-light "about 100 rural and remote pharmacies" to provide COVAX (PD 18 Jun).
NSW Health had been expected to announce plans to activate 26 rural pharmacies last week, but an official announcement has yet to be made, while Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, confirmed the Victorian State Government had identified 15 pharmacies to participate in the vaccine rollout (PD 16 Jun).
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