A Victor Harbor Pharmacy will be one of the first in the state to start administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

Hayborough Pharmacy’s Harris Tan says the pharmacy will be able to start providing the Astra-Zeneca vaccine to eligible customers from next week.

Customers will be able to make an appointment to have the vaccination administered by trained pharmacists.

About 70 pharmacies in Sydney are already administering the vaccine after being fast-tracked in response to the current outbreak in New South Wales.

At this stage in the vaccine rollout, the Pfizer vaccine is listed as the preferred vaccine for people aged 18 – 59. People aged in this age group can also opt to be vaccinated with the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.   

The National Cabinet first announced that pharmacies would be brought into the vaccine rollout in April.

The US and UK are utilising their pharmacy networks to fast track the vaccine in those countries.  About 10% of the Australian population has received at least one dose of a vaccine compared to 53% in the UK and 49% in the US.

The National President of the Pharmacy Guild, Trent Twomey, has expressed frustration with how long the Federal Government has taken to active pharmacy involvement, saying “they’re trained, they’re qualified, they’re trusted, they’ve got the infrastructure.”

To make an appointment for the vaccine contact Hayborough Pharmacy on 8552 8886 or ask your local pharmacy if they will be taking part in the rollout.