Pharmacy Daily | Doctors preferred initially for COVAX

PHARMACIST immunisers may be forced to wait up to six months after doctors commence the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines (COVAX), under the Federal Government's Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

The policy document noted that COVAX are likely to be provided through multiple locations over time, including GP clinics, respiratory clinics, schools, dedicated vaccination clinics, workplaces, locations identified by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health sector, and pharmacies.

"Given that these are new vaccines, locations that have medical practitioners on-site are preferable for the first three to six months of the roll-out of any COVID-19 vaccine in case of adverse events," the policy document said.

With regard to COVAX administration through pharmacies, the Government said, "pharmacists are licensed to varying degrees in each State and Territory to administer vaccines".

"They are likely to play a role in COVID-19 vaccination for some part of the population (e.g. healthy adults) at some stage, depending on the safety profile of the vaccines."

The policy document noted that the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has identified three priority populations, including; those at increased risk of exposure - health and aged care workers, and people in other settings where the risk of virus transmission is increased; those who have an increased risk, relative to others, of developing severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19 - Indigenous populations, older people and patients "with underlying select medical conditions"; and those working in services critical to societal functioning - essential services personnel.