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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-09-23 Daily Xml
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COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (14:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: South Australia continues to push on with the COVID-19 vaccination program in the state's largest peacetime logistical effort. Will the minister please update the council on the contribution that community pharmacies are making to the COVID-19 vaccination program?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for her question. Pharmacists, pharmacy staff and pharmacy businesses are playing a vital role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has presented immense challenges in ensuring accessibility, availability and safety of medication use for many of our most vulnerable and unwell consumers.

I would like to acknowledge the pharmacy profession for the way it has stepped up to play its part in meeting these challenges, staying open to ensure access to critical medicines and health advice, and implementing new initiatives to support patients and protect staff.

With a significant task to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to all South Australians aged over 12, the role of community pharmacies has never been more important, with pharmacists being a key part of the workforce that is delivering COVID-19 vaccines in the community.

Since joining the vaccine rollout in July, community pharmacies have already provided more than 17½ thousand doses of vaccine. These numbers are set to grow significantly, with community pharmacies leading the distribution of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Marshall government opening access to this vaccine to anyone aged 12 and over.

It is expected that approximately 300 pharmacies throughout South Australia will offer the Moderna vaccine to their communities, with around 140 pharmacies starting this week as part of the first tranche. As one of the most accessible health professions, community pharmacy offers convenience of location for consumers and with many having extended operating opening hours during the week and on weekends they offer consumers options to arrange for vaccinations at times when other services may not be operating.

Today, it was my privilege to visit the Star Discount Pharmacy at Welland Plaza shopping centre with Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Emily Kirkpatrick and Pharmacy Guild SA Branch President Nick Paniyaris, together with the pharmacist at the Star Discount pharmacy, Harry Nguyen. The Star Discount Pharmacy has already started administering the Moderna vaccine and I was strongly encouraged by the early interest that is being shown. The outbreaks in Victoria and New South Wales are a daily reminder of the importance for all South Australians to roll up and get vaccinated.

In mid-June, South Australia was the first jurisdiction in the nation to authorise all regional, rural and remote community pharmacies endorsed by the commonwealth EOI to be activated to participate in the vaccine rollout. The Marshall government is proud to continue to partner with the sector in this major operation.

This Saturday, 25 September, is World Pharmacists Day. It's an opportunity to recognise the entire profession: pharmacists, technicians, assistants, scientists, educators and the pharmacy team, and raise awareness of the role of pharmacists in health care. I would like to thank the pharmacy profession for their dedication and hard work which, on a daily basis, ensures South Australians receive the best possible health care.

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