The next stage in the COVID-19 vaccine program is underway, following ATAGI’s recommendation that vaccine boosters be administered from five months after the second dose for those 18 years and over.
Third doses are already being administered to severely immunocompromised people and boosters are available to everyone who had their second vaccine five or more months ago, including all those in the first phase of the vaccination program, such as health care workers and other frontline workers.
Another important new development is that community pharmacies will be able to administer the paediatric formulation of the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years from early next year. This follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s provisional approval of the Comirnaty vaccine to children.
Pharmacy 777 is at the forefront of the vaccination program and stands ready to provide third and booster doses to everyone eligible and is preparing to provide vaccinations to children from early January.
Already, Pharmacy 777 and other community pharmacies have been helping to keep the community safe by supporting the booster program with the Comirnaty vaccine. Now, the program also includes Moderna’s Spikevax. The availability of the mRNA vaccines across community pharmacies ensures pharmacists can support the Department of Health recommendation, which has advised that mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax) are preferred for third dose vaccination and booster doses.
“With more than 55 out of our 65 sites across Western Australia providing COVID-19 vaccines, Pharmacy 777 is a convenient and fast option to help get the community vaccinated to reach the 90% target as part of WA’s Safe Transition Plan before we reopen to travellers,” said Pharmacy 777 Managing Director Kim Brotherson.
“Also, with all vaccine options available through Pharmacy 777, we encourage anyone to talk to their local 777 pharmacist regarding their personal situation.”
“With the opening of WA borders as of 5 February 2022, Influenza will also be more prevalent in 2022, so having the latest current information available for our patients is critical as we look to transition into our new normal.”
To date, Pharmacy 777 has provided more than 46,500 COVID-19 vaccinations across the state, and continues to make both Comirnaty and Spikevax, which are recommended for people aged between 12 and 59, and Vaxzevria available to members of the community.
As the efficacy of the vaccines gradually declines over time, health experts do recommend boosters to protect against the virus.
“There are important timing intervals between obtaining your first, second, third and booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, as there are between other vaccines,” Kim said. “Please contact your local Pharmacy 777 pharmacist if you would like to make an appointment or if you have any questions about the correct timing of your vaccination.”