Pharmacies continue to receive a strong community response to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as the state draws closer to the 70 per cent double-dose mark.
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Twelve-year-olds have come in with no hesitation to receive their COVID jabs, Port Macquarie pharmacist Ibrahim Khodary says.
The Your Discount Chemist Port Macquarie pharmacist said that was good to see.
The Moderna vaccine is available at many pharmacies alongside AstraZeneca.
Moderna is approved for use in people aged 12 years and over and AstraZeneca is available for people aged 18 years and over.
Mr Khodary said there had been a good vaccination uptake and the availability of Moderna had also brought a different patient to the pharmacy that might have previously been a bit hesitant.
"The more people we can get vaccinated, the quicker we can get back to normal," he said.
"All the vaccinations are effective and we are lucky in this country we have choice. The fact we have a choice has made some people more hesitant.
"I think some people might have been waiting."
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Community pharmacist and NSW Pharmacy Guild branch committee member Judy Plunkett said there had been a very high demand for COVID vaccination.
Teenagers have been among the age groups keen to get the jab.
"We have seen all age groups coming in," Ms Plunkett said.
"It is very heartening we have got people that were hesitant in their 60s and 70s that have come in.
"We have lots of enthusiasm with school children. Their parents are generally double vaxxed and they are the true believers of vaccinations."
Ms Plunkett said COVID vaccination was our ticket to freedom.
"The higher levels of vaccination, the safer our community is, and the quicker we get out of any fear of lockdown.
"We want to keep people out of hospitals and off ventilators."
Clifton Pharmacy Outlet pharmacist-in-charge and proprietor Steve Duong said there had been a very good response to vaccination in Port Macquarie.
Mr Duong said Australia was a lucky country in terms of the vaccines but he called on more young people aged 12 and up to get the jab.
"We have seen the virus affect young people as well," he said.
NSW has revealed its three-phase COVID-19 recovery roadmap with the state to begin reopening when the 70 per cent double vaccination target is reached.
General practices, Commonwealth vaccination centres, NSW Health clinics, community pharmacies and Aboriginal medical services are delivering COVID vaccines.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said with sufficient supplies available in October to vaccinate all Australians, and with around 10,000 vaccination sites, additional measures were being enacted to support uptake and reduce hesitancy.
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Lisa Tisdell
I'm a Port Macquarie News journalist, keen traveller, angler and cricket fan.
I'm a Port Macquarie News journalist, keen traveller, angler and cricket fan.
