ACP supports Queensland pharmacies with training in COVID-19 vaccination rollout

Monday 7 June 2021 was a momentous day with Footes Boonah Pharmacy in Queensland providing one of the first COVID-19 vaccinations in a community pharmacy nationally. The Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) was proud to have supported the pharmacy staff with upskilling through the Safe Vaccination Services in Community Pharmacy Program and the HLTSS00065 Infection Control Skill Set (Retail).

The Australasian College of Pharmacy’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dimitri Kopanakis, said that the College was proud to support frontline pharmacy staff to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

“The ACP has been preparing frontline Pharmacy Assistants nationwide to support the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through the Safe Vaccination Services in Community Pharmacy Program,” Dr. Kopanakis said.

“The Safe Vaccination Services in Community Pharmacy Program is a free online course that was created in partnership with The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch. The course provides Pharmacy Assistants with practical strategies for managing changes to workflows and patient’s expectations to support Pharmacist Immunisers when they can administer COVID-19 vaccines.”

A Pharmacy Assistant at Footes Boonah Pharmacy reported that the Safe Vaccination Services training was comprehensive and easy to follow.

“It was useful that the training was accessible from one place. The training was beneficial in showing how these processes and workflows fits into the day-to-day.”

Pharmacies Australia-wide are encouraged to visit acp.edu.au to learn more about the free Safe Vaccination Services in Community Pharmacy Program, as well as the HLTSS00065 Infection Control Skill Set (Retail) Course, which will be fully funded up to Wednesday 30 June 2021.