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Barwon Health / Barwon South West Public Health Unit

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Barwon Health Pharmacy COVID Vaccine Team awarded the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) Victorian Hospital Team Innovation Award

Thursday, 18 November 2021

The Barwon Health Pharmacy COVID Vaccine Team has recently been awarded the SHPA Vic Hospital Team Innovation Award.

Additionally, the team will proceed as a Victorian candidate for 2021 SHPA Hospital Team Innovation Award, which will be awarded at the SHPA Conference in February.

The team was awarded for their submission titled: "A team roadmap to regional COVID-19 vaccination."

The Barwon Health Pharmacy COVID Vaccine team (BHPCVT) of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians travelled to the far reaches of South Western Victoria to advise, prepare and credential staff for vaccine preparation.

The outreach vaccination program for both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines was a multidisciplinary effort supported by nurse immunisers, IT and administration staff. Rolling visits to Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Timboon, Apollo Bay, Hamilton, Casterton, Coleraine, Penshurst, Colac and Hesse supported vaccine administration and training.

The team undertook more than 71 road trips, travelling 14,000 kilometres.

The regional vaccine educational program was a key driver in achieving high vaccination rates across South Western Victoria.