PHARMACIST immunisers will join Australia's free COVID-19 vaccine (COVAX) rollout as part of the second phase of the Federal Government's immunisation plan.
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, confirmed pharmacists will play a key role in the administration of vaccines following discussions with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia yesterday.
Hunt's support for pharmacist involvement in the rollout plan has been welcomed by the Guild and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, however, details as to how pharmacies will be remumerated for the administration of doses have yet to be clarified.
Under the rollout plan, pharmacists and other health professionals alongside aged care, disability, quarantine and border security workers will be immunised in phase 1a, in mid-Feb, with GPs joining the innoculation campaign as part of phase 1b, during which pharmacy assistants will be able to be vaccinated.
Guild National President, George Tambassis, described ensuring the success of the COVAX program as "the biggest public health challenge Australia has ever faced".
"Trained community pharmacist immunisers are standing ready to make a significant contribution to the health workforce charged with administering these vaccines to all Australians who wish to be vaccinated," he said.
"Through advocacy, training and commitment, pharmacists are now authorised to administer vaccines across all jurisdictions in Australia.
"Pharmacist immunisers are now providing significant and demonstrable public health dividends -- through the millions vaccinated against influenza at their local pharmacy in 2020, and now as community pharmacists add to the health workforce preparing to administer these absolutely essential vaccines.
"Pharmacists are trusted health professionals, and local pharmacies are the most accessible health infrastructure in the country -- it just makes sense to utilise these key assets."
PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, said the profession would play a "vital role" in supporting rapid rollout of the vaccines.
Freeman called on State and Territory Governments to "amend legislation that will allow pharmacists to administer a COVID-19 vaccine", noting that some jurisdictions have been "slow to act" on introducting reforms.
"A proactive approach to legislation amendments means that the entire available health care workforce, including pharmacists, will be able to undertake a large-scale vaccination program," he said.
"Pharmacists are more than capable, qualified and willing to provide this service to ensure the large scale rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine."
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