Thirty-six community pharmacies on the Central Coast are now administering COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccines.
Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said the latest of the 36 pharmacies came online as of Monday, August 9.
“This additional workforce will support local GPs and Commonwealth Respiratory Clinics already delivering COVID-19 vaccines,” Wicks said.
She said the addition of community pharmacies would play a vital role in the vaccine rollout across the region.
“Central Coast residents want to get vaccinated close to home in their own community,” Wicks said.
“Community pharmacies are an essential part of the Australian health care system and pharmacists are highly accessible health care professionals who provide patients with access to vital medicines, health care services and support.”
Stuart Anderson of the West Gosford Late Night Chemist said he was pleased pharmacies were able to contribute to the vaccine rollout.
“Pharmacies can really make a difference here,” he said.
“We started administering AstraZeneca a week ago and have given around 280 vaccines so far.
“We are flat out administering around 50 vaccines a day.
“We prefer bookings but are also taking walk-ins.
“We are just calmly and systematically giving people the right advice and injecting them.”
Wicks said pharmacies which 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.
She said community pharmacies will also participate in the rollout of the Moderna vaccine from September.
You can check which pharmacies are administering the vaccine on the NSW Health website.
Terry Collins