Pharmacy Daily | Stop stalling, get COVID vaccine now

PHARMACISTS and GPs are united in urging patients to stop waiting for a preferred brand of COVID-19 vaccine and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

A joint statement from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), stressed the importance of getting vaccinated as "the way out of the COVID-19 crisis".

Guild National President, Trent Twomey, stressed "there is no wrong way to get vaccinated".

"There is no wrong door to enter to get your vaccination," he said.

"There is no wrong vaccine to get.

"And increasingly the evidence is highlighting that there is no need for anyone to delay getting their vaccination while awaiting another brand, as all are extremely effective.

"My message, and that of all pharmacists and their fellow vaccinators is - just get vaccinated.

"If you're over 18, get the vaccine."

RACGP President, Dr Karen Price, reiterated advice for patients to go to the same provider for both doses (PD 04 Aug), following suggestions by a member of the Queensland State Government last week that people should "mix and match" their vaccinators.

"We need to get as many vaccinations done as soon as possible to combat this virus," she said.

"If people opt to receive their vaccine from their GP or at a pharmacy, that is their choice.

"We need to ramp up our vaccination numbers so that must be the number one aim.

"However, it is vital that all people receive both vaccine doses from the same vaccinator.

"Continuity of care and patient safety must always be paramount, so receiving your jab from the same GP or pharmacy is the best option.

"We know that some communities are facing issues in terms of vaccine stock being available, but mixing and matching vaccinators will not resolve this problem."

Both the Guild and the RACGP are providing information and resources to members and patients to support the vaccination rollout.