Pharmacies responding to demand for vaccinations

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Some of Tairāwhiti's general practices and pharmacies are now giving Covid-19 vaccinations.

Hauora Tairāwhiti vaccination programme manager Lisette Hayes said City Medical and Bramwells Pharmacy are providing vaccinations.

“Three Rivers is due to ‘go live' and offer vaccinations in the next day or two while De Lautour Medical is going through the on-boarding process with the district health board and Ministry of Health.”

Bramwells Unichem Pharmacy owner Grant Bramwell said the pharmacy had only been doing Covid-19 vaccinations over a 3½-hour period for three weeks.

“There is definitely a demand,” he said. “A lot of people like to come into the pharmacy. I think it's because they feel comfortable with the privacy. Some of them are hesitant so we chat to them for a little longer and give them all the information they may need to make their decision.”

Mr Bramwell said they had been administering half a dozen doses each day.

“Not every pharmacy has got the resources to do it. We have had to work it around our every-day business.

“I think a couple of other pharmacies are coming on board. I think pharmacies are a good option for some people because of the convenience.”

Three Rivers Medical managing partner Dr Tom James said they had to jump through a lot of hoops to get approval for administering vaccination.

“Approval for one of the practices in town took four months. Our approval only took three or four weeks.

“I picked up the vaccines today (November 12) and learned about further processing so that we can opportunistically vaccinate from Monday.

“I have set up vaccine clinics for Wednesday and Friday next week, and will prefill these with the names given of patients waiting, including third dose patients.

“Doctors are free to use these bookings as well if there are any patients willing and able.

“It's a fabulous opportunity to protect our community here at Three Rivers Medical and in Tairāwhiti.”

■