The Baradine chemist is one of just 22 pharmacies in regional and rural NSW to be given the go-ahead to administer the AstraZeneca jab.

The community pharmacists will be vaccinating patients as part of the NSW Government pilot program to boost vaccine distribution in areas where access to a GP or a vaccine clinic is limited due to geographical location.

Baradine pharmacist, Ross Myers said the selected pharmacies will play an important role in the ramp up to delivering the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The government sent out an expression of interest before last Christmas and we knew we had moved to the second stage, but wanted more information,” Mr Myers said.

“Then, after hearing nothing for three months, we found out a week ago that Baradine Pharmasave was on the vaccine delivery list.”

Mr Myers said that the community pharmacies need to meet certain standards in order to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

“Mandatory online training has to be completed before the vaccine can be administered,” Mr Myers added.

“Written consent from the patient must be obtained and each vaccination is recorded and uploaded to the Australian Immunization Register.

“Pharmacies already play a role in Australia’s vaccination programs, administering vaccinations including the yearly flu shot. Now the pharmacy has become another point of access for the free AstraZeneca jab, giving people another option and also helping to ease pressure on local doctors.

“We do have an older demographic in Baradine and by and large people seem keen to get vaccinated. We are already taking bookings, either by phone or people coming into the pharmacy, and we will be giving follow-up doses.

“We are here to answer any questions people may have about the jab and I hope we can help to eliminate any vaccination hesitancy people may have.”

Mr Myers estimates that the COVID-19 vaccination will be available from Baradine Pharmasave from 26 July for people over 60.