The NSW coal mining industry's health organisation, CS Health, is partnering with community pharmacists to deliver fast, efficient and safe vaccinations against COVID-19.
The agreement is great news for workers across this industry sector.
It means vaccination doses will be available with little or no wait times, close to where people work or live, from trained pharmacist professionals.
The partnership will help instil confidence that the industry's workers, their families, and their communities are protected against the virus.
CS Health is part of Coal Services: a specialised Health and Safety Scheme delivering integrated services to mitigate workplace risks in the NSW coal industry. The organisation is committed to the health and safety of more than 37,000 people who work in the industry, their families, living and working across the regional mining areas of NSW.
The Coal Services focus on preventative workplace safety and health initiatives helps to deliver on their purpose: 'to protect' and align with its two shareholders, the NSW Minerals Council and the CFMEU – Mining and Energy Division.
Acting General Manager of CS Health, Kirsty Bates, said the partnership demonstrates their commitment to working together with industry and local businesses to make it easier to protect workers.
"We were looking at ways to help boost vaccination numbers in regional areas and supporting efforts for our communities to return to normal. The Pharmacy Guild's online portal will help workers locate and book a vaccine appointment near them."
National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey, says the new agreement means employees will be able to access their COVID-19 vaccinations close to where they live and work, through their local community pharmacy.
"It means less down time for employees and it means they can access this service almost immediately when they are ready to do so. Community pharmacists can take bookings at short notice.
"And especially with Moderna COVID-19 vaccine supplies now available in big quantities and distributed through pharmacies, coal sector workers will be able to access this service, get the job done and protect themselves, their families and others in their workplaces.
"The Pharmacy Guild will be working closely with Coal Services to deliver new levels of health and safety across our communities," Mr Twomey says.
