Today, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch announced that more than 112 thousandQueenslanders had booked their free influenza vaccines through community pharmacies.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, said the initiative by the Palaszczuk Government allowing Queensland residents aged between 5 and 64 years to receive a free influenza vaccination in community pharmacies has been very popular.
“There have been unprecedented numbers of people accessing our free online booking service. The website (www.qldfreevax.com.au) has had more than 665,000 visits and over 112,000 bookings made since it was launched on May 26, 2022.
“The Queensland Government’s announcement on 23 May that all Queenslanders can receive a free influenza vaccination has accelerated the number of people getting their influenza vaccines, with over 78,230 free influenza vaccinations administered in Queensland community pharmacies in that time.
“Since the beginning of March, we’ve had the privilege of administering more than 283,300 influenza vaccinations through community pharmacies in Queensland,” said Mr. Owen.
“The online booking service at www.qldfreevax.com.au is straightforward and easy to use,” said Mr. Owen, “All you have to do is enter your suburb, and the website will automatically find the next available appointment at your closest community pharmacy.
“GuildLink’s online booking platform has provided a centralized and streamlined booking system for both Queensland patients and community pharmacies. This one-stop-shop booking platform has enabled the mass vaccination rollout to be implemented quickly and easily managed by pharmacies.
Mr. Owen also said that with the increase in demand for vaccinations, some supply shortages had been reported.
“I’d encourage Queenslanders to continue to be patient and check www.qldfreevax.com.au for more appointments to become available as community pharmacies receive more stock every day,” Mr. Owen said, “the free influenzas vaccines will continue to be available through community pharmacies until 30 June.
“Like with the COVID-19 vaccinations, influenza vaccinations at community pharmacies are administered by highly trained and qualified pharmacists who must attain a current first aid and CPR certificate and accreditation in anaphylaxis management.”
“I encourage Queenslanders to visit their local community pharmacy to receive their free influenza vaccine before the program ends on Thursday 30 June 2022.”
