PLANS for State and Territory Governments to set up mass vaccination centres to accelerate the Federal Government's COVID-19 vaccine rollout, are of limited use, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia believes.
A Guild spokesperson told Pharmacy Daily that the organisation was in "ongoing talks with the Government" about the proposal, and the role pharmacies could play in the campaign.
"We are highlighting that a mass vaccination centre in a football stadium in a capital city is of no use to communities in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia," the spokesperson said.
"We also are pointing out that the accessibility of community pharmacies offers opportunities for maximum uptake of vaccinations.
"Some 51% of community pharmacies are open extended hours -- after normal business hours, at weekends and some even operate 24 hours a day."
Guild National President, Trent Twomey, voiced criticism of the NSW State Government's plan to open a centre at Sydney's Olympic Park, last week (PD 09 Apr).
"We don't accept the mass vaccination in footy stadiums idea as announced this week by the NSW Government," he said.
"It doesn't make sense to send thousands into a footy stadium increasing the risk of community transmission, as opposed to patients booking at their local pharmacy down the road from home.
"That's a lot safer and more convenient for everyone."
Twomey also flagged the successful role that pharmacies have played in COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in the US.
"We've seen in the US that the most successful rollout has been in West Virginia where they've gone with the local pharmacy option as the vaccination provider," he said.
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