Pharmacy Daily | MJA editor backs pharmacy vax sites

EVERY available vaccination service, including community pharmacies, should be used to roll out COVID-19 vaccines (COVAX), the editor of the Australian Medical Association's Medical Journal of Australia, Professor Nick Talley, believes.

Speaking on Sydney's 2GB radio this morning, Talley backed pharmacists to safely and effectively administer COVAX.

"They're equipped to do the jab, and while there's been debate about the best methods for getting the vaccine rollout going, in my view every method needs to be applied that's safe and effective, so that we get people vaccinated," he said.

"I believe it's very important that every avenue is used, and as many people as possible get vaccinated as long as vaccine supplies are available."

Talley added that he was concerned about "the mixed messaging" and "alarmist language" circulating in relation to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation's (ATAGI's) advice hasn't changed," he said.

"That advice was, and is, if you're under 60 and if Pfizer isn't available to you at the moment - which in fact it isn't for a significant proportion of the population - and if the benefits likely outweigh the risks - which they do - and if a person has made an informed decision and knows the risk-benefits... they can elect to have the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"Now the health advice remains [that] Pfizer's preferable, but you can elect to do this and the AstraZeneca vaccine is a very good vaccine.

"I think people can and should be allowed to make informed decisions about their health, and that's what this is all about."

Talley's comments echoed the views of Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, who called for patients to be allowed to make informed decisions around vaccination uptake.

"Sure there is a preference for certain age groups to have certain types of vaccines, but it should be up to individual Australians, as they are going into a lockdown to choose which vaccinations they put in their bodies," he said.