COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Will the minister update the council on how the pharmacy profession is helping to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing to the health and safety of our community?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for the question. Community pharmacies have an important role to play in providing South Australians with access to essential medicine and health advice, which is a particular concern during emergencies such as bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing service of pharmacists, pharmacy staff and pharmacy businesses to the community during the COVID pandemic is valued and respected.

Our hospital pharmacists, too, have played a key role, supporting the safety and security of vaccine supplies and administration in the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. As we move to the next phase of our response through the broader rollout of the vaccine program, community pharmacists will also play a role as part of the workforce that will deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the community. As trained vaccinators, community pharmacists already play a key role in providing access for South Australians to immunisations and now they will take that skill into the vaccination rollout.

Last week, the Marshall Liberal government announced that, in partnership with the commonwealth, we are expanding access to COVID vaccinations for regional consumers by activating rural and remote community pharmacies. The commonwealth government undertook an expressions of interest process earlier this year and almost 100 regional, rural and remote pharmacies in South Australia have met the stringent requirements required to be authorised by the commonwealth to provide COVID-19 vaccinations. The commonwealth is now working with these pharmacies to provide them with an opportunity to start vaccinating.

Regional, rural and remote pharmacies will be the first to participate. Involvement of metropolitan pharmacies is to be considered as additional vaccine supplies become available. Pharmacy continues to be a key partner in rebalancing the health system. Their work, particularly in delivering highly trusted, accessible, collaborative and consumer-centred care, is vital.

Recognising the unique and important role of pharmacists in our community, the Marshall Liberal government has also announced that we will explore the potential to provide access to government-funded influenza vaccines at community pharmacies for people aged 65 years and over. Increasing immunisation coverage is a strategic priority of the National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2019 to 2024.

Access to the National Immunisation Program vaccines at community pharmacies would be another approach to further support this priority, enhancing access for vulnerable and elderly South Australian consumers by providing safe and effective immunisation. On the other hand, we do need to be mindful of the capacity within the vaccine distribution network to manage a broader network.

To assess the potential of this proposal, the government has established the Community Pharmacy National Immunisation Program Access Advisory Group to oversee the development and implementation of a safe and efficient model for the administration of NIP vaccines by community pharmacists. Again, I would like to thank the pharmacy sector for its ongoing dedication and hard work in ensuring South Australians receive the best health care possible.