Pharmacy Daily | TWC COVAX bookings top 150,000

COMMUNITY pharmacy network, TerryWhite Chemmart (TWC), is expecting to see a surge in demand for COVID-19 vaccines (COVAX) with the rollout of the Moderna mRNA-based shot.

With more than 400 pharmacies across the TWC group currently administering COVAX, Executive General Manager, Nick Munroe, revealed the network has received more than 150,000 bookings.

Munroe also noted that TWC stores have administered more than 13% of all COVAX doses provided through community pharmacies.

"Our pharmacists are highly trained and well experienced in delivering vaccinations, so it's not surprising to see many Australians trust them for the COVID-19 vaccination," he said.

"With Moderna bookings now open to the public we have over 35 pharmacies with more than 1,000 bookings in the system, and I have no doubt these numbers will increase significantly over the next few weeks as Moderna becomes more freely available."

Munroe added that TWC pharmacies accounted for a higher percentage of vaccinations delivered than the percentage of vaccinating pharmacies they represent in each State and Territory.

"If we look at WA for example where currently TWC pharmacies represent 11% of all WA pharmacies who are participating in the rollout, they currently account for close to a quarter of all the pharmacist-administered COVID-19 vaccinations," he said.

"Our entire network is 100% invested in delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to their communities and it is certainly showing in the results."

Meanwhile the group is getting ready to celebrate World Pharmacists Day on 25 Sep, by naming the TWC Pharmacist of the Year finalists throughout the week.

Today TWC added Pharmacy Guild of Australia South Australian Branch Committee Member, Irfan Hashmi, from TWC Cumberland Park to the list of finalists, alongside Kristina Fox from TWC Rosny Park, Tasmania, and Queenslanders Blaine Woods of TWC Keperra, and TWC Goondiwindi's Emma Conway.

See page four for more.