The small Coraki Pharmacy in Queen Elizabeth Drive is one of just twenty-selected across the whole of NSW to start administering the COVID-19 vaccine, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“The chemist located in Queen Elizabeth Drive should begin administering the AstraZeneca jab within the next two weeks, as part of a pilot program to boost to the vaccine rollout,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“Putting Coraki at the front of the queue makes sense given the difficulties experienced in attracting a permanent Federal Government bulk billing doctor to the community health centre we built in the town.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said community pharmacists already have an important role in Australia’s vaccination program, administering vaccines including the yearly flu jab.

“We know that some of these communities have limited local access to general practitioner services and having these pharmacies involved will assist with the phased rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine to these communities,” Ms Berejiklian said.