News

COVID-19 vaccine supply not enough to meet ‘huge’ demand in Echuca-Moama

By Anna McGuinness

Jan 11, 2022

We need help: Echuca Amcal Pharmacy is running out of vaccines to meet local demand. Pharmacist Con Kostoglou (pictured) administers a COVID-19 vaccine last year. Photo by Steve Huntley

With child vaccinations beginning this week on top of boosters and first and second jabs, Echuca pharmacists say there aren’t enough doses available to meet demand.

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Con and Kathy Kostoglou own Amcal Pharmacy and Priceline Echuca Square and are running out of COVID-19 vaccines.

On Monday, the first day of the child vaccination roll-out, the Amcal store ran out of the Pfizer vaccines specific for five to 11-year-olds.

And on Tuesday, the line of people waiting for a jab was out the door.

They are also short on staff, like many other businesses, due to COVID-19 and isolation requirements.

“People can now get their booster shots from four months — that’s fantastic if we’ve actually got the vaccinations and the vaccinators,” Mrs Kostoglou said.

“All of our local area is short of vaccines.

“Echuca hospital has done its best in supporting us by lending some and pharmacies are trying to support each other.

“Has the government accounted for enough vaccines to allow people entitled at four months to get it?”

Mr and Mrs Kostoglou contacted the coronavirus helpline but said they received no help.

“We also contacted the Victorian branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. President Anthony Tassone is doing his best to help our region,” Mrs Kostoglou said.

“The demand in Echuca-Moama is huge and we are trying really hard with Anthony to get more vaccines for everyone.”

Local pharmacies are also struggling with the demand for rapid antigen tests (RATs), which are now being more heavily relied on due to the short turnaround and to take pressure off the PCR system.

Amcal and Priceline pharmacies will have RATs available with people encouraged to call either store to indicate their interest.

“If businesses are suffering with closing their doors because they can’t get rapid antigen tests, please put your business name at either Amcal or Priceline; they are here to help you,” Mrs Kostoglou said.

“Put your name on the list and we will ring you.”

Amcal offers COVID-19 vaccinations with no appointment necessary. People are asked to be patient with staff and wear a mask.

“Whether you’re local or from out of town, we are trying our hardest to help everyone,” Mrs Kostoglou said.

To find a local COVID-19 vaccination provider, visit covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/