Cairns COVID vaccinations: Pharmacists ready for AstraZeneca doses

Cairns pharmacists are gearing up to start administering doses of the new Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in a matter of weeks despite export tension gripping Europe.

CAIRNS pharmacists are gearing up to start administering doses of the new Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in a matter of weeks despite export tension gripping Europe.

Italy’s decision to refuse to release an Australia-bound shipment of 250,000 doses has prompted fears the schedule for vaccinations could be thrown into disarray.

The federal government maintains it is not the case, with Finance Minister Simon Birmingham assuring Australians that contingencies are in place.

“We are obviously disappointed and frustrated by this decision, but it is also why we took a belt and braces approach,” he said.

Pharmacist Nick Loukas is ready to start administering the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine when it becomes available. Picture: Brendan Radke

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“We’ve contracted up to 150 million doses of vaccines, including 50 million doses to be produced in Australia.

“The world is in quite uncharted territory at present, it’s unsurprising that some countries will tear up the rule book.”

North Queensland Public Health Network chairman Nick Loukas said his business Alive Pharmacy had been accredited to administer the vaccine when it became available – as well as influenza shots.

A vial of the AstraZenica vaccine, held by Dr Gianni Ricci at Murray Bridge Hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“The influenza vaccines will hopefully be in all of our stores by mid-March,” he said.

“We’re just waiting for federal government approval. The stock has arrived but the feds have yet to sign off on it.”

It will likely take a bit longer for Cairns pharmacies to start dishing out the new COVID vaccines – although it will become available for vulnerable Australians and frontline workers before then.

Australia’s first recipient of AstraZeneca vaccine has received her jab in Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide. Dr Caroline Phegan, a GP who has psoriatic arthritis, said she was honoured and urged everyone to be vaccinated. ‘Didn’t hurt a bit’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“We haven’t got anything official yet but pharmacies should be getting delivered the COVID vaccines from May,” Mr Loukas said.

“There will be cold chain management (refrigeration) processes that we need to handle but we’re used to that.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday that centres would soon be established in Logan and Bundaberg to distribute the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath visited Cairns Hospital on Friday and announced the facility was on track to administer its 1000th dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Saturday.

“It has been an incredible two weeks and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to see our hardworking staff in action at the Cairns vaccination hub,” she said.

Originally published as Cairns COVID vaccinations: Pharmacists ready for AstraZeneca doses