Pharmacy leads way as vaccine hits high street
APHARMACY in Ma c c l e s f i e l d became one of the first in the country to administer the Covid vaccine.
Andrew’s Pharmacy, on Kennedy Avenue, began offering the jabs on Thursday, January 14, and was just one of six in England.
The lead pharmacist there is Andrew Hodgson and it has been selected due to the ability to deliver large volumes of the vaccine while allowing for social distancing.
He was giving the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab to patients including Robert Salt, 82, who queued through store with the aid of social distancing markers on Thursday morning.
Andrew said: “It is probably the biggest single day of my career.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. We’ve set this up in three or four weeks from scratch. The whole team is very excited to be part of the roll-out.”
He added that he knew four generations of some of the families who use the pharmacy.
“I feel close to the people who are getting vaccinated and it is a personal experience for them,” he said.
Mr Salt said it was ‘wonderful’ to have received his first dose, adding: “There was a little trepidation but it’s good, everything has gone fine today, apart from the weather.”
“It’s a relief to have had it. I still have responsibility for my wife at home who hasn’t had it yet because she’s under 80, so I’m still going to be very careful.
“It’s also great to have had the AstraZeneca vaccine – everyone here knows someone who works there.
“I’m healthy but you know you’re in the age range where you’re very vulnerable. The situation with the death rates going up the way they have done is pretty frightening.”
Other selected pharmacies are in Widnes, Halifax, Telford, north London and Guildford.
By the end of the month, more than 200 community chemists will be able to give vaccines, according to NHS England.
Dr Bruce Warner, deputy chief pharmaceutical officer, praised the work of pharmacists and said: “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.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock echoed his thanks and said it was ‘fantastic’ that vaccinations would be available on the high street.
Mr Hancock 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.”