Life-saving coronavirus jabs will begin to be delivered at High Street pharmacies from today as the NHS accelerates the biggest vaccination programme in its history.
Boots, Superdrug and several independent stores will be the first of hundreds of community pharmacies to offer vaccinations protecting against COVID-19. Two hundred community pharmacies are due to come online over the next fortnight as more vaccine supplies come on stream by the end of the month. Stores capable of delivering large volumes, while allowing for social distancing, are initially being selected to give the best geographical spread.
Anyone in the highest risk groups who does not want to travel there, or to a large-scale vaccination centre, can wait to be called forward by their local GP or hospital services by 15 February. If that is the case, or if they have received the vaccination through another route since the invitation went out, they do not need to do anything.
Jabs are now being offered at more than 200 hospitals sites along with around 800 GP-led services, with another 200 GP-run sites coming online this week. Seven large-scale vaccination centres opened this week, one in each NHS region, with dozens more to follow in the coming weeks.
Dr. Bruce Warner, deputy chief pharmaceutical officer, said: “The NHS coronavirus vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, has got off to a great start with more than 2.4 million jabs delivered.
“Pharmacy teams have been working incredibly hard throughout the pandemic and, as we accelerate the vaccination programme, they are playing a vital role in delivering the life-saving jabs to those in their communities.
“We know that people are very keen to get the vaccine but we are appealing to people not to turn up early so that we can maintain social distancing.”
The first pilot sites will start vaccinations today with up to 70 more taking bookings for next week and hundreds opening by the end of the month. The pilot sites are:
- Boots, Halifax
- Andrews Pharmacy, Macclesfield
- Appleton Village Pharmacy, Widnes
- Superdrug Pharmacy, Guildford
- Cullimore Chemist, Edgware
- Woodside Pharmacy, Telford
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “It is fantastic that high-street pharmacies will now begin deploying COVID-19 vaccinations. Pharmacies sit at the heart of local communities and will make a big difference to our rollout programme by providing even more local, convenient places for those that are eligible to get their jab.
“Pharmacists have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, often acting as the first port of call for medical advice – and often staying open when all around have closed. I want to extend my thanks to every pharmacy for their efforts to support the national response to the pandemic and keep people safe.”
Vaccines Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “Staff across the NHS have pulled out all the stops to help ramp up vaccinations and are working day and night to keep people safe. Pharmacies play a vital role in caring for the nation and I am really pleased to see them coming on stream to help with the national vaccine roll-out effort.”
People invited to make an appointment through the new national booking service will be given a choice between a vaccination centre or a pharmacy service.
