Canberra pharmacies set to begin administering AstraZeneca vaccine within days

The first 27 chemists to start administering the vaccine are due to receive doses this week, with the remaining stores hoping to come on board the following week.

Pharmacy Guild ACT branch president Simon Blacker said some pharmacies were taking bookings in advance, with vaccinations to start as soon as doses arrived.

Each Canberra chemist can order up to 600 doses of AstraZeneca at a time.

In the coming weeks, the number of pharmacies administering the vaccine will more than double.

"We're very happy to be able to help [general practices] because they work really hard and have had a lot of pressure on them," Mr Blacker said.

"Hopefully by pharmacies coming on board, it just gives the community more options so that there's less pressure [at GPs]."

Mr Blacker expected bookings would be required initially but walk-in vaccinations would be offered throughout chemists

"[In Sydney pharmacies] we're are seeing strong walk-up demand, where people haven't made an appointment but are interested," he said.

"It's an opportunity there, given our accessibility, our seven-day trade, our extended trading hours, there's potential for a vaccine through more access points."

The ACT government will change the pharmacy vaccination standards to allow the AstraZeneca vaccine to be provided to anyone aged above 18 with informed consent from a pharmacist

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Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for people under 60 according to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, but young people can access AstraZeneca if they talk to a pharmacist of doctor about the benefits and risks.

Canberrans aged 30 to 59 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine at an ACT government-run hub.

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