Mid West pharmacies to start administering the COVID-19 vaccine within weeks

Several Mid West pharmacies will start delivering COVID-19 jabs as soon as they receive stock, marking the next stage of Australia’s vaccination program.

Almost 50 pharmacies across WA can now start immunising patients against the virus, with TerryWhite Chemmart in Waroona the first to administer the jab on Monday.

Leeman Pharmacy expects to receive doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine later this week and Dongara Pharmacy, Jurien Pharmacy and Moora Community Pharmacy are also listed as vaccination points on the clinic finder.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia president Dr Fei Sim said while this was a positive step forward, he was concerned pharmacist involvement in the vaccination program was still limited.

“This is fantastic for rural residents in towns including Donnybrook, Narrogin and Wickham, but with 50 per cent of people aged over 50 years still to get their first dose, it is time to activate all approved community pharmacies in WA now,” he said.

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“A further 463 pharmacies have been approved by the Government, but are yet to start vaccinating.

“As Australia’s most accessible healthcare workforce, bringing all community pharmacists on board will accelerate the rollout, especially in Australia’s largest and most population-dispersed State.”