Doctors oppose vaccination against COVID-19 in pharmacies

Doctors are opposing a government plan that would see COVID-19 vaccinations carried out in pharmacies across Greece.

They primarily cite safety concerns, but also economic feasibility, since pharmacies will charge citizens 5 euros, while vaccinations are provided free of charge in public health facilities.

In a letter to the Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, the President of the Panhellenic Medical Association (PIS) expressed his disagreement with COVID-19 vaccinations being carried out in pharmacies. PIS emphasized that vaccination should be carried out in a safe environment, in the presence of a doctor and taking into account the patient’s medical record. She also noted that the ministry’s announcement that vaccinations will no longer be free will lead to the opposite of what was intended, that is, an increase in the number of vaccinations against Covid-19.

“A vaccination culture that leads to sustained, timely and consistent vaccination coverage is built primarily through a trusting physician-patient relationship, and secondarily through consistent outreach to the public, at the right time, with a clear message,” it emphasizes. in PIS.

Pharmacists, for their part, reacted sharply and accused doctors of opposing any actions taken by pharmacists. “Doctors respond to any actions of pharmacies, which represent an organized network of primary health care,” said the President of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association (PPA) Apostolos Valtas in an interview with the site iatropedia.gr, dedicated to health issues.

“They reacted to rapid tests, as well as to vaccination against influenza, which is formalized by the legislative seal of Parliament, they appealed to the State Council and lost, because the State Council decided that pharmacies are primary health care institutions and, of course, they must carry out vaccination against flu”– emphasized Valtas.

Responding to doctors’ complaints about “unsafe vaccinations in pharmacies” PPA President referred to “a negligible percentage of side effects (mostly allergic reactions) caused by the Pfizer vaccine”.

Regarding the €5 fee, Valtas said people will still have the choice of getting vaccinated at a pharmacy or at a vaccination center, noting that such centers do not (currently) work very well due to the distance and inconvenience. “We will not receive any additional payments from the state while doctors receive 50 euros for vaccination at home and 20 euros for vaccination in their office.”– said Varlas.

PS Someone would dare to suggest that this whole story is just about money…

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