Thousands of community pharmacies and additional GPs across Australia will be invited to join the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the Federal Government announced today.
Health Minister, Greg Hunt said the additional workforce would be brought on board to support pharmacies and GPs already delivering COVID-19 vaccines in cities, regional, rural and remote areas, as well as areas with a COVID-19 outbreak.
To date, 118 community pharmacies are currently vaccinating across the country, with more than 470 community pharmacies expected to be vaccinating by the end of July 2021.
“From Monday, over 3,900 community pharmacies who have expressed interest in joining the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and who have previously been found suitable, will also be invited to participate,” Minister Hunt said.
“This includes 1,262 suitable community pharmacies from regional, rural and remote areas and 1,668 suitable community pharmacies that have also been identified in metropolitan areas.
“Pharmacies who have not yet expressed interest will also be offered the opportunity to participate, as well as any GPs that are not yet participating in the rollout.”
He said the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce was continuing to work with state and territory Governments to accelerate the vaccination program.
“In the past week, the Taskforce has been fast tracking the on-boarding of community pharmacies in the Local Government Areas of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool, with 48 pharmacies to commence offering vaccines in these areas by the start of next week,” Mr Hunt said.
“It is anticipated that pharmacies wishing to administer AstraZeneca vaccines will commence vaccinating from mid-August. In addition, community pharmacy will also participate in the rollout of the Moderna vaccine from September.”
Further information on the pharmacy roll-out will be made available through the Department of Health.
