Tasmanian pharmacies are on track to deliver the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from next week, ending the frustrations of those under 60 seeking suitable vaccines in this local setting.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia state president Helen O'Byrne said the introduction of Moderna at pharmacies for those aged between 12 and 59 would provide greater vaccination opportunity.
A health department spokesman said Tasmania will get around 10,400 doses of Moderna for distribution.
"Anyone aged 12-59 years can access a Moderna vaccine at 51 participating community pharmacies in week one. An additional 49 community pharmacies will be brought on over coming weeks."
Ms O'Byrne said the Moderna vaccine would enable a broader age group to get the vaccines from pharamcies.
"The Moderna vaccine has been the vaccine we have been waiting for because it has the mRNA, it works in the same way as the Pfizer, it is just a different brand," Ms O'Byrne said.
"We have had the AstraZeneca vaccine but have only been authorised to vaccine people 60 and over. This allows us to reach into those different age groups and increase the vaccination rates in school aged children."
Ms O'Byrne said it was hoped that more rural and regional pharmacies would sign up to the vaccination program.
"With Moderna broadening the age group, we hope that more rural and regional pharmacies will come on board because it will be worth their wile to commit the time and resources to vaccinating," she said.
"The main benefits to pharmacy vaccines is accessibility, pharmacies are based in your local community, often they have extended opening hours, and a lot of the pharmacies participating will be able to take walk ins."
The current target groups for vaccination, according to Public Health last week, are those where numbers need to increase, including people who need greater accessibility because of health literacy, distance or other issues.
