NSW vax centre plan makes no sense

PLANS to operate a mass vaccination clinic at Sydney’s Olympic Park are being criticised by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

The NSW Government aims to have the centre operational by the middle of next month to complement existing clinics and double the State’s current vaccination capacity.

However, Guild National President, Trent Twomey, said the move made no sense.

“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.

“In terms of the advice about vaccines, our advice from the Australian Government Department of Health is that the issue is about supply.

“COVID-19 vaccines are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government.

“We have received repeated assurances this week from the Australian Government that community pharmacies will be providing COVID-19 vaccines as part of Phase 2a.

“We expect those pharmacies who expressed an interest to receive further advice on the next steps from the PPA on Mon.”

Twomey noted the success of pharmacy-based vaccination services, including Australian influenza vaccine campaigns and ongoing COVID-19 immunisation programs 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.

“We understand and support the Government’s vaccine rollout strategy, but if we want to move to a rapid rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, it makes sense that they use our national network of healthcare professionals. In at least 60 towns around Australia we are the only primary healthcare provider in town.”