Professional Pharmacists Australia have urged residents across the Highlands and Tablelands to get their booster shots as soon as possible.
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CEO of Professional Pharmacists Australia Jill McCabe said booster shots were the best defence against the virus.
"We've done a lot of hard work to get vaccination rates up, but with Omicron spreading so widely in the community it is critical that we boost our protection," said Ms McCabe.
President of Professional Pharmacists Australia Geoff March said "the booster shot reduces potential for serious illness and lowers the impact on a fragile health system, including pharmacies."
"Pharmacists are an option for those looking to get their booster shot and while we appreciate this is putting pressure on the pharmacy workforce, the burden will be much more severe if people are not getting boosted, and experience more serious illness," Mr March said.
"So, while working pharmacists are stretched, we're saying: book your booster now."
Ms McCabe said front line pharmacy workers and other vaccinators were carrying an enormous load for the community in the fight against COVID.
"We really need to reassess the role of pharmacy in our health system because pharmacists are not adequately recognised for the important work they do," she said.
"They are overworked, underpaid and deserve much more support than they receive - that is a conversation we are having now with pharmacy owners and the Government."
During this pandemic working pharmacists have played a crucial role in delivering health care to communities across the country and they deserve greater respect and recognition than in the past.
Booster vaccines have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
You are eligible for a COVID-19 booster if you are 18 years or older and have had your second or third primary course of COVID-19 vaccination at least 4 months ago.
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