Now get the jab on your high street

200 pharmacies offer vaccine

COVID vaccinations will be available in some high street pharmacies from today.

The injections are being rolled out at 200 locations over the next fortnight, both at the major chains and independent chemists.

Boots in Halifax and Superdrug in guildford will be among the first six sites to administer the injections.

Yesterday, Asda announced it had been given the green light for pharmacy staff to administer the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine at a branch in Birmingham from January 25. it will operate in a former clothing section seven days a week from 8am to 8pm for people who receive an appointment from the NHS.

officials said each mass vaccination site must have capacity to deal with 1,000 appointments a day and allow for social distancing. Matt Hancock said it was ‘fantastic’ that jabs were now available on the high street because they will make a ‘big difference’ to the rollout.

The Health Secretary said: ‘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.’

Also in the first six are Andrews Pharmacy in Macclesfield, Appleton Village pharmacy in widnes, Cullimore Chemist in Edgware, north london, and woodside Pharmacy in Telford.

The eventual 200 community chemists join seven mass-vaccination centres that opened this week, as well as 200 hospital hubs and about 800 GP sites. Vaccines will be given by appointment only, with people invited to choose either a mass-vaccination centre or pharmacy site through a national booking service. if neither is suitable, patients can wait to be contacted by their family doctor – but this could mean waiting a few more weeks as GPS work through their lists.

The government needs to vaccinate around two million people a week if it is to reach the 14million most vulnerable people by February 15. officials insist they are on track to meet the target but supply issues seem to be an issue, with fewer than 208,000 vaccines administered yesterday.

The pharmacy industry had urged the government to let them help – as they do annually with the flu vaccine.

Mark lyonette of the national Pharmacy Association said: ‘Community pharmacists are eager to play their part in the Covid- 19 vaccination programme, and as trusted healthcare professionals they will have a key role in achieving widespread uptake.’

Michael Henry of Superdrug said: ‘Today sees a significant step forward in making the vaccination more accessible to people most at risk from coronavirus as our pharmacists and nurses use their clinical expertise to deliver the vaccine.

‘guildford is the first of five current Superdrug sites to support the NHS with the rollout of its critical vaccination programme and we are in active discussions for additional vaccination sites through further pharmacy involvement.’

Seb James of Boots said: ‘our pharmacists are experts in vaccination programmes and have a trusted role at the heart of our local communities.

‘Pharmacies are extremely well placed to support the rollout of this vaccine quickly and safely.’

GIVEN the damage to the health and wealth of Britain inflicted by Covid, it’s reassuring the Government has grabbed the bull firmly by the horns on immunisation.

An extraordinary 2.6million people have received a first dose, including 208,000 yesterday – smashing Mr Johnson’s target.

Adding to the sense of urgency, jabs will be given in supermarkets. GPs are on emergency footing. And – finally! – the PM promises 24-hour vaccination hubs.

The quicker the population is inoculated, the quicker life can return to normal. So ministers must keep the pedal to the floor.

But unforgivably, bottlenecks and red tape are delaying the rollout, costing time and lives. Why, exactly?

Instead of shrouding the problem in secrecy, thin- skinned Health Secretary Matt Hancock should tell us the truth.

Yes, vaccinations have started superbly. So it would be criminal if ministers stumbled at such a crucial moment.