PHARMACY students, interns and registered pharmacists - including those those who are non-immunisers - will be able to support the Victorian Government's rollout of COVID-19 vaccines under an emergency order gazetted on Sun.
The order, which granted approval for pharmacist immunisers to administer COVID-19 shots, paves the way for fourth year students and interns to undertake "authorised vaccination activities" such as drawing up the vaccine and labelling it in preparation to be given to a patient.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, welcomed the order, saying it was essential for the whole health workforce to be engaged in the vaccination campaign.
"The Victorian Branch of the Guild welcomes the regulatory approval of pharmacist immunisers being authorised to administer the COVID-19 vaccination in our state which is very timely as community pharmacies await a response to expressions of interest for participation in the Australian Government's COVID-19 vaccine program," he said.
"We also welcome the ability for other parts of our pharmacy workforce: registered pharmacists who are non-immunisers, intern pharmacists and fourth year pharmacy students to be able to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout through undertaking authorised vaccination activities such as drawing up doses and labelling syringes in preparation of doses being administered to patients.
"Not only will it be a team effort across the entire health profession and nation in order to maximise vaccination levels, it also will be at the individual pharmacy and practice level to deliver the best care possible for patients.
"This announcement will help community pharmacies prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout should they be successful in their application for the expression of interest which closed last Fri to participate.
"There has been a strong level of interest at both a Victorian state level and nationally for pharmacies wanting to participate in the Australian government's COVID-19 vaccine program."
CLICK HERE to read the Victorian Government Gazette in full.
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