OPA is pleased to see that on January 13, the Ontario government announced the list of health care providers who can administer COVID-19 vaccines will be expanded and includes administration by pharmacy professionals. In addition, pharmacies have been included as part of the list of additional vaccine sites to be added. This change allows any pharmacist, intern, registered pharmacy student or pharmacy technician to administer the vaccination.
Ontario’s pharmacists are proud to be a part of the government’s vaccination plan and are pleased that the Ontario government continues to recognize pharmacists as a key member of the healthcare team working in partnerships with all healthcare providers.
Vaccinating 13 million Ontarians is the most complex logistical effort in Ontario’s health system history. Ontario’s pharmacists look forward to working with all health care professionals to ensure that we collectively immunize the greatest amount of people in the shortest amount of time.
Ontario’s pharmacists are highly trained medical professionals who already administer over a dozen types of vaccines. With over 95 per cent of Ontarians living within two kilometres of a pharmacy, pharmacies are the safe and efficient choice for reaching Ontarians in every region of the province including rural and remote areas.
“Ontario’s Pharmacists have proven through the 2020-21 flu shot campaign that they have the skills, knowledge and training needed to successfully vaccinate Ontarians,” says Justin Bates, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Pharmacists Association. “We look forward to working with the government and our fellow health care professionals to safely administer the COVID-19 vaccine across the province.”
