TASMANIAN pharmacies have commenced administering COVID-19 vaccines, with limits on the minimum age of patients who can be vaccinated in a pharmacy remaining 60 years.
TerryWhite Chemmart Sorell Owner, Madeleine Bowerman, was among the first community pharmacists in the State to administer a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday.
Welcoming moves to approve pharmacies in the State to administer the vaccine, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmanian Branch President, Helen O'Byrne, called on the Government to "rethink" its decision to limit pharmacies to immunising patients aged 60 and older.
"It is unfortunate that the State Government has determined that at this time Tasmanian pharmacists will not be able to administer the vaccine to those under the age of 60, despite the Therapeutic Goods Administration advice and guidelines, as this would certainly help to lift vaccination rates across the State," she said.
"Pharmacies across all other Australian States and Territories are approved to administer AstraZeneca vaccines to those under 60 where appropriate."
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