Rolling out aged care vaccinations through pharmacies

A pharmacy vaccination program has been successfully rolled out for aged care residents across northern Queensland.

The Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program was established by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) to help bolster COVID-19 vaccination efforts for aged care residents.

Participating pharmacies already engaged in the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) COVID-19 vaccination program received funding support from NQPHN to conduct the in-reach vaccination services at residential aged care homes (RACHs).

Through the program, NQPHN facilitated 20 separate visits to RACHs between July and November 2023, enabling the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to residents in need.

In collaboration with pharmacy partners, access to vaccines was provided to 16 RACHs, resulting in the administration of 788 doses to aged care residents.

“By collaborating with pharmacies, we have successfully expanded vaccine access and contributed significantly to reducing infection rates among vulnerable residents in our communities,” said Sean Rooney, NQPHN Chief Executive Officer.

“The success of this initiative reaffirms NQPHN’s commitment to promoting public health and underscores the importance of collaborative endeavours in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Aged care provider Bolton Clarke received vaccination visits from three separate pharmacy groups across its homes in Cairns, Bowen and Townsville, supporting strong vaccination rates.

Bolton Clarke Director of Operations FNQ Myreen Bevan emphasised the program’s significance in safeguarding vulnerable communities.

“Our partnership with NQPHN has enabled us to achieve commendable vaccination rates across our RACHs,” she said.

“This initiative underscores the collective efforts to protect our aged care residents against COVID-19.”

Ramsay Pharmacy played a key role in the program’s rollout of vaccinations in RACHs.

“At Ramsay Pharmacy, we are proud to have played an integral part of this important vaccination program, working to ensure elderly residents received the protection they needed against COVID-19,” said Dianne Allenet, Ramsay Cairns Pharmacy Manager.

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