High demand for Astra Zeneca Covid vaccines at Coraki and Kyogle pharmacies

“The most amazing feedback has been many of them going ‘is that it? all this fuss over that?’, because the process is really quick and painless.”

Pharmacists James Smith and Paul Mason, co-owners of Coraki Pharmacy, are offering Astra Zeneca Covid doses to Northern Rivers residents.

Pharmacies at Coraki and Kyogle have recorded high demand for AstraZeneca Covid vaccines.

Pharmacist Paul Mason, co-owner at Coraki Pharmacy, said they were pleased to be part of the rollout.

“We started Monday July 26, and between (pharmacist James Smith) and myself, we’ve done around 100,” he said.

“I did a clinic yesterday and we did 47 in one day.

“I’m actually excited and I feel it’s a privilege.

“We have been waiting to come online for quite some time, and we are very happy to be able to be part of the rollout.

“We have vaccine appointments Monday to Friday, but on certain days, when we are both here, one of us focuses on vaccinations.

“On non-clinic days we are still doing five to 10 appointments per day, but if there is higher demand, we will set up a second clinic day for the week.”

According to new data by NSW Health, as of August 1, 2021, 39.7 per cent of people over 15 years of age in the Richmond Tweed area had received one dose of a Covid vaccine, while 17.20 per cent of people over 15 years of age had been fully immunised.

Coraki and Kyogle were the two outlets selected for a NSW Government project to offer the vaccine first in 22 towns that only have one pharmacy.

Pharmacist James Smith, co-owner of Coraki Pharmacy, with some of the Astra Zeneca Covid doses offered to Northern Rivers residents.

Mr Mason said the best way to book at Coraki Pharmacy was by calling 6683 2037 or to walk in to book an appointment at 55 Queen Elizabeth Dr, Coraki.

“We are getting people from Coraki, but today (Tuesday) for instance we got several from Lismore, Evans Head and Woodburn,” he said.

“I think these are people who really wanted to get the vaccine and had been unable to get it so far.

“Some have said they had tried to book at other vaccination hubs in the area.

“We are allowed to vaccinate now from 18 years of age and older, but we haven’t had anyone that young; here the youngest we have had has been a 40-year-old, but the majority have been over 60s.

“The most amazing feedback has been many of them going ‘is that it? all this fuss over that?’ because the process is really quick and painless.”

Mr Mason said many people have called the pharmacy to clarify concerns over the vaccine.

“A lot of people have called to ask questions, because many have concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine,” he said.

“They basically wanted our opinion, and James and I recently completed out training for AstraZeneca, and we know that the chances of blood clotting are so low it’s not funny.

“Other people wanted to know what to expect on the day, which is a sore arm and feeling unwell the next day.”

In Kyogle, pharmacist Liam Bonner from Soul Pattinson Chemist said they had a higher demand than expected since they started on July 23.

“We’ve had probably more than 70 people getting their dose, with the youngest being a 22-year-old who was informed of the risks, but he wanted to do it because he considered it was the right thing to do for the community,” Mr Bonner said.

“We’ve had people from Bonalbo and Nimbin coming in.

“We seem to be getting people who were sitting on the fence but who are now able to get the vaccine, also because of the outbreaks in Sydney and Queensland.”

The pharmacist said they are booking vaccines on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and also Thursdays if there is extra demand.

He said the best way to book was to phone [phone], or to use the healthdirect eligibility checker.

More pharmacies around the Northern Rivers are expected to rollout Astra Zeneca doses in coming weeks.