Pharmacists have been waiting in the wings all year to do their part in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
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This week about 19 pharmacies in the ACT got their first deliveries of the AstraZeneca vaccine ready to go into the arms of loyal customers and walk-ins.
After putting in an expression of interest in February, Capital Chemist Southlands at Mawson shops had a makeover in April specifically to cater for the expected rush of COVID-19 vaccinations.
A wall was knocked down and seven consulting rooms were built but, up until now, they've only been used for flu vaccinations.
Co-owner and pharmacist Stacey Fuller said it was very exciting to be able to have their first doses delivered on Monday and to start administering the vaccine to customers on Tuesday.
"It's been a long time coming and we just wanted to be involved. So now that we are, it's really good to have pharmacists involved," Mrs Fuller said.
"Most of our customers, we know them so they feel happier that they can come to someone they know, and most of the time they're visiting us several times a month anyway."
The pharmacy has taken 20 to 30 appointments so far but is expecting more bookings as word spreads.
Mrs Fuller said they could administer a maximum capacity of 100 doses per day.
"We have 12 pharmacists who work here, of which all of us vaccinate," she said.
"So we have the capacity to be able to provide our normal pharmacy service as well as the COVID vaccinations."
Across the ACT, 27 out of 81 pharmacies have been invited to join the vaccine rollout in the first tranche. This will increase to 66 pharmacies by the end of August.
Pharmacies are allowed to administer AstraZeneca vaccines to people aged 18 and older who have given informed consent.
The sector is expecting to start getting the Moderna vaccine by late September or early October.
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Pharmacy Guild of Australia ACT branch president Simon Blacker said the delay to pharmacies being involved in the AstraZeneca rollout was especially frustrating because they already had the storage and distribution network in place.
"The frustration has been replaced by a desire to get on with it and make a difference. Every pharmacist in Australia would feel that way," he said.
He said pharmacies were particularly appealing for people who didn't have a regular general practitioner or who didn't have a Medicare card.
The very first dose administered at Capital Chemist Southlands was to a regular customer who was accompanied by her assistance dog.
"It was I guess a feeling of relief almost, that our patients will come to us and we've got access to do it and we finally can help them out," Mrs Fuller said.
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