RIVERLANDERS could soon get access to Covid-19 vaccines through local pharmacies, as the State Government looks to speed up the rollout of the jabs.
About 100 rural and remote pharmacies across the state are expected to be chosen initially to participate in the expansion of the vaccination program.
Barmera Pharmacy pharmacist Davie Kaurirai said the pharmacy was “100 per cent ready to go” but was waiting to hear from the State Government whether it would be involved in the program.
“I don’t see why we can’t also offer this service like we do with the flu vaccination,” he said.
“It is just another thing we can add to our portfolio of services that we offer to clients in our area, rather than them needing to go somewhere else to source them.”
Mr Kaurirai said having the vaccine available in pharmacies would improve convenience for people who may have to travel to get the vaccine.
“I had to drive to Berri to get vaccinated, so I needed to take some time off work,” he said.
“So it would be better if it was something local that would only take 30 minutes, because some people don’t have a driver’s licence and some people don’t have the time.
“It will also help improve confidence in the vaccine, because if you are getting it from someone you know you can ask more questions one-on-one and get all the answers.”
State Health Minister, Stephen Wade, said SA Health was launching the initiative in partnership with the Federal Government, community pharmacy organisations and the networks of community pharmacies.
“The vaccination program is our doorway out of the pandemic, and we want to do everything we can to ensure the Covid-19 vaccine is readily accessible for all South Australians,” he said.
“There is already a strong community acceptance and uptake of pharmacist vaccinations in Australia and there is existing capability within the pharmacy network, so it makes perfect sense to enable the community pharmacy workforce to provide more options for people to get their Covid-19 vaccine, especially in rural and remote areas.”
Premier Steven Marshall said the move would help “meet an identified need” in rural and remote communities.
“Making it easier for people to be vaccinated is another key plank in our Covid-19 plan, which is keeping South Australians safe and our economy strong during the pandemic and we now have more people employed than ever before in the history of the state,” he said.
South Australia’s chief pharmacist Naomi Burgess said consultation and planning was underway to ensure the expansion was ready to go once it was finalised and approved by the Federal Government, which she hoped could occur as soon as July.
“We have had a great response from the South Australian community pharmacy sector, who are very keen to be involved in supporting their community by playing their part in the rollout of this vital vaccine,” she said.
The list of pharmacies involved in the plan is yet to be finalised.
The announcement of the initiative comes as available appointments to receive the Pfizer vaccine in the Riverland become scarce following changes to the advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine.
New appointments for the vaccine clinic at the Riverland General Hospital are currently unavailable through the Federal Government’s online booking platform after Pfizer became the preferred vaccine for all Australians aged 16 to 59 last week.
In a bulletin sent to staff, Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) CEO Wayne Champion said anyone aged under 60 who was booked into receive an AstraZeneca vaccine at an SA Health-run clinic would be offered the Pfizer vaccine instead.
“RMCLHN has sufficient supplies of the Pfizer vaccine to support this change,” Mr Champion said.
“However, demand on our clinics may increase as we work through this change, and we will encourage our community to be patient in securing an appointment at our clinics.”
People who were booked in at a GP were forced to reschedule their appointment at a Pfizer vaccine site. More appointments are expected to become available throughout July. For more information, visit www.covidvaccine.sa.gov.au.