Pharmacy Daily | Use pharmacy to boost vax access

PHARMACISTS are an invaluable resource for driving immunisation uptake, TerryWhite Chemmart (TWC) Chief Pharmacist, Brenton Hart, believes.

Marking World Pharmacists Day (today) Hart expressed his pride in the success of the group's pharmacist immunisers, who have administered more than 550,000 influenza vaccinations in 2020.

"We are already in an incredibly strong position to make a huge impact on the lives of Australians next year if and when a COVID vaccine is rolled out," he said.

"We welcome the comments from the Prime Minister, that the COVID-19 vaccinations will be free to the public, and we look forward to understanding the role that pharmacists will play in supporting what will be one of the most essential public health services in recent times."

Hart added that TWC has been preparing to boost its capacity to meet the anticipated increase in demand for pharmacist vaccination services when a COVID vaccine becomes available.

"We continue to partner with the PSA on training to increase the volume of pharmacist immunisers, which are now already over 1,000 across the network," he said.

"We will also be stepping up our workplace and community vaccination programs to expand our reach into the community."

The group also acknowledged the efforts of South Australian pharmacist and TWC Cumberland Park owner, Irfan Hashmi, in his 'Healthy Communities' vaccination push to provide free flu shots to vulnerable members of local multicultural communities.

"I am incredibly proud that this year our 'Healthy Communities' initiative meant we could deliver more than 1,000 free flu vaccinations with 23 clinics, both in the pharmacy and out in the community," he said.

"Community Pharmacists are already one of the most accessible health professionals so any vaccination program that creates better access and increases vaccination rates will go a long way to helping improve herd immunity."

Pictured, husband and wife team, Sofia and Irfan Hashmi, from TWC Cumberland Park.