The Australasian College of Pharmacy and The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, said the Federal
Government's announcement that every Australian will receive a free dose of the University of Oxford COVID-19
vaccine could potentially save lives.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that more than 25 million doses of the University of Oxford vaccine, one of the most advanced and promising in the world, had been secured for all Australians, if its trials prove successful.
The news comes after the Australasian College of Pharmacy had already secured a live clinical update from the perspective of Professor Sarah Gilbert, who's leading the development of the front-running University of Oxford vaccine. President, Chris Owen, said that the College had been at the forefront of pharmacist knowledge and CPD education for more than 40 years and encouraged all pharmacists to register for this very special opportunity.
"We're pleased with the Federal Government's decision as it makes this webinar an even more extraordinary opportunity for all pharmacists to learn more about the development of the University of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine. We had already secured the webinar for pharmacists a few weeks ago and look forward to hosting and administering it locally in Brisbane. CPD points are available for pharmacist participants," Mr Owen said.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland's Branch President, Professor Trent Twomey, said that community pharmacists are proud to support Queenslanders and will continue to work hard to serve them, and keep them safe and healthy, by providing accessible primary healthcare.
"Community pharmacists are one of the most trusted primary healthcare professions and Queenslanders are already regularly visiting their local pharmacy 18 times a year on average. With 97% of Queenslanders living within 2.5km of their local community pharmacy, and 65% in regional areas, it makes sense for Queenslanders to be supported with safe and convenient access to the COVID-19 vaccine, when available."
"The state's vast network of almost 6,000 community pharmacists stands ready to continue supporting Queenslanders on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic, by providing this life-saving vaccine."
"Queensland community pharmacist vaccinators are already trained to deliver vaccinations and are well-placed to conveniently and safely roll-out a COVID-19 vaccine, when available."
"Many will also be tuning into the live clinical update on 25 August to learn more details first-hand from Professor Gilbert."
"Queensland pharmacist vaccinators are already leading the nation in immunisation provision, being able to provide the community with vaccinations against a range of bacterial and viral diseases, which is an integral part of communicable disease world-wide."
"We'll continue to work with both the Federal and State Governments to ensure the success of a vaccination roll-out and the COVID-19 Testing in Community Pharmacies Pilot," said Prof. Twomey.
"Community pharmacists participating in the COVID-19 Pharmacy Testing Pilot provide another avenue for opportunistic testing to keep Queenslander's safe. This opportunistic testing has already been piloted in South Australia during July and August but doesn't intend to replace the testing and fever clinics managed by the Hospital and Health Services."
Queensland's Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, has previously stated that the Government would utilise the state's enormous network of almost 1,200 community pharmacies when a future COVID-19 vaccine became available, so all Queenslanders can safely and conveniently access the vaccination.
"It's very important that when we do get a vaccine that everyone has access as quickly as possible, and it would be great for them to go to their community pharmacy. We'll continue to work with The Pharmacy Guild to roll-out a program in future."
Australian and New Zealand pharmacists will hear first-hand from leading Oxford University Professor Sarah Gilbert next week, as she details her quest to deliver the world's first COVID-19 vaccine and explains how Australian pharmacists can assist the delivery of the vaccine to the public. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, and the Australasian College of Pharmacy, worked together to organise this exclusive webinar where Prof. Sarah Gilbert will provide a live update on the front-running Oxford vaccine. All pharmacists are encouraged to register - and to attend – at 7pm (AEST) on 25 August, to become engaged in this important scope of practice for pharmacists.
Pharmacists nationwide can register for the webinar at www.guild.org.au/covidvaccineupdate.
