By Danielle Kutchel
As the Covid-19 vaccination rollout gathers pace, residents will soon have another option of where to go to get their jab.
Pharmacies are beginning to come online as part of the rollout and will be able to dispense the vaccine in much the same way as they provide flu shots each year.
In the south east, this means residents can visit Chemist Warehouse Fountain Gate from Monday 16 August for an inoculation.
The Fountain Gate store is among seven pharmacies confirmed as being brought on board for the rollout in the coming weeks and joins eight others in regional Victoria that commenced delivering the vaccine in July.
As was previously reported by Star News Group in July, 816 Victorian community pharmacies applied to the Federal Government to be able to give the vaccinations earlier this year.
Last month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that all of the 3930 eligible community pharmacies across Australia would join the vaccination program, in a move that was welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
The National President of the Pharmacy Guild, Trent Twomey, said the decision would see thousands of community pharmacies delivering vaccinations where they are most needed.
“These pharmacies have undergone all the training and meet all the necessary criteria to provide this service for patients,” Adjunct Professor Twomey said.
“These pharmacies are fully indemnified by the Government and informed consent protocols will be followed for patients.”
It’s expected more pharmacies will come on board in mid to late August.
They will offer AstraZeneca vaccines to begin with and then mRNA vaccines later in the year as stock becomes available.
Those ready to roll up their sleeves at Chemist Warehouse Fountain Gate will need to book online via the Chemist Warehouse website.
The Covid-19 vaccination is free.
