Category: News

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Cathy Harrison, officially launched this year’s community pharmacy flu vaccination programme and received their flu jab in Belfast.

The seasonal influenza programme officially began on 1 October 2021, this year the programme is being expanded to help protect the most vulnerable people in our society and to relieve the winter pressures being faced by the health service during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The rollout of the seasonal flu vaccination programme in Northern Ireland will be supported by community pharmacies across the province who will be offering the vaccine to:

• All adults aged 50 years and over
• All HSC workers

Speaking at Balmoral Pharmacy, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to place significant demands and pressures on our Health Service and we expect that there will be circulation of both flu and COVID-19 this winter, which will inevitably add further pressures on our already fragile health care system.

“As a result of the low flu activity last winter we expect reduced levels of population immunity against the virus this winter. In the situation where social mixing and social contact return towards pre-pandemic norms, it is expected that this winter will be the first winter in the UK when seasonal flu and other respiratory viruses such as RSV in children will circulate alongside COVID-19.

“Modelling indicates the 2021/22 flu season in the UK could be up to 50% larger than typically seen and it is also possible that the 2021 to 2022 influenza season will begin earlier than usual. Influenza vaccination is therefore an important priority this coming autumn to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with influenza, and to reduce hospitalisations during a time when the health service may also be managing significant winter outbreaks of COVID-19. Please keep following the public advice to reduce the transmission of flu and COVID-19, please get the vaccines and protect yourself, those that matter to you and the health service.”

The extension of the community pharmacy role in the 2021/22 flu vaccination programme will offer an additional route to vaccination for all HSC workers and for all those aged 50 and over, complimenting existing Occupational Health services and GP services, in order to maximise uptake of the flu vaccine.

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Mrs Cathy Harrison, said: “Community pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and have continued to play a pivotal role delivering health services to communities in Northern Ireland during the pandemic.

“I am delighted to welcome this expanded role for community pharmacy teams, which builds on the success of last year’s community pharmacy flu vaccination service and the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which has seen over 143,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in community pharmacies all across Northern Ireland.

“This service will complement the already strong arrangements for delivering the flu vaccination programme in Trusts and general practice. And will use the skills of community pharmacy teams to provide much needed additional capacity across the healthcare system to deliver the largest flu vaccination programme ever at the same time as the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme and maintaining provision of other essential HSC services.”

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene, said: “Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland welcome the expansion of the Community Pharmacy flu vaccination service, it gives the public the option of getting their flu vaccine at a convenient, accessible location with a local pharmacist they know and trust.

“The threat of COVID-19 has made the need for vaccines even more crucial, and we strongly advise all those eligible to contact their local pharmacy team and get your winter flu vaccine. It is not just your health you protect when you are vaccinated, it is those most vulnerable in our society and the health service that is already under huge strain.”

Details of your nearest participating pharmacy can be found online www.healthandcareni.net/pharmacy_rota/Flu_Vaccinations.html

The public are reminded to be patient with community pharmacy staff as they work to set up clinics over the coming days.

There is still time to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before Christmas, Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised

The Minister today launched an important new phase of the vaccination programme, with 130 local pharmacies now signed up to provide the Moderna vaccine to everyone aged 18 and over who is not yet vaccinated. 

“I am delighted that a large number of community pharmacists are on board for this phase. They will now be taking the lead role in providing first doses. Every single jab administered in Northern Ireland is important, every single dose makes a difference.

“With the eight week gap between doses, anyone coming forward for their first dose now will still have time for their second jab before Christmas. They can enjoy the festive season with the added and vital protection that vaccination gives – both for them and people close to them.”

Appealing to people who have not yet had their first vaccine dose, Mr Swann added: “Please don’t delay. Don’t be left behind – don’t miss out on the benefits that vaccination brings. We have now administered over 2.5 million jabs in Northern Ireland, including first and second doses. Come and join the vast majority of the population who are standing on safer ground.

“The threat from the virus has certainly not gone away. Thanks to the vaccines, we have weakened the link between cases and hospitalisations. Thanks to the vaccines, we have been able to carefully ease Covid restrictions and look forward to a full return to normality.”

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI Gerard Greene said: “We are very pleased that 130 community pharmacies will be providing the Moderna vaccine to all those who have yet to receive their Covid-19 jab and that pharmacies will be the central point within primary care for administering first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Receiving the vaccine at an accessible local community pharmacy from a clinician they know and trust is tremendously important, with pharmacists across Northern Ireland well-experienced in delivering vaccines having already administered over 143,000 Covid-19 doses since March. As we enter into the winter period, it is even more vital that we all get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our health service which is already under huge strain.

“We would also remind the public that it is very important to be protected from flu as well as from Covid-19. Community pharmacies will be providing a flu vaccination service for health and social care workers as well as members of the public aged 50 and over. We encourage all those eligible to contact a local community pharmacy to get vaccinated. It could really save lives this winter.”

The first dose Covid vaccine take-up for the adult population in NI is now 89%, and it is expected that the additional capacity and accessibility offered by community pharmacies will help push this rate up to and beyond the 90% mark.

For more details on participating pharmacies offering Moderna Covid vaccine appointments in your area, visit NI Direct or check out this interactive map: http://www.healthandcareni.net/pharmacy_rota/Covid_Moderna_Vaccination_Pharmacies.html

The number of pharmacies involved is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Community pharmacies across NI will also have a key role in providing Covid vaccine booster doses.

Moderna, like Pfizer, is a MRNA vaccine. Its effectiveness against Covid has been clearly established.

Ahead of World Pharmacists Day, the public is being encouraged to make use of their local community pharmacists and the variety of services they can offer.  The theme of this year’s World Pharmacists Day is “Pharmacy: Always trusted for your health” and never has this been more relevant when we reflect on how community pharmacy has supported the public throughout the pandemic and still continues to do so.

Community Pharmacy NI, is highlighting the role local pharmacies are ready playing in alleviating pressure on other parts of the health service as we enter what is expected to be an extremely challenging winter period

Last week, it was announced that community pharmacy is to have an expanded role in this year’s Winter Flu Vaccination Programme, taking responsibility for administering the jab to frontline health and social care workers as well as all those aged over 50.

A newly expanded ‘Pharmacy First’ service will soon be introduced to provide consultations, advice, and treatments for minor health conditions and, if necessary, recommend an appropriate referral. Through the service patients are encouraged to visit a participating community pharmacy rather than their GP for a defined list of common conditions. 

To date, community pharmacies have also seen their role in the Covid-19 vaccination programme increase to provide a permanent vaccination setting in the months ahead. Currently in Northern Ireland, there are 350 community pharmacies still offering the Astra Zeneca vaccine, whilst 54 are currently administering the Moderna vaccine – with plans for this to be scaled-up. The sector is also hopeful of inclusion in the Covid-19 booster programme.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“This World Pharmacists Day is an opportunity to showcase the range of services our community pharmacies can offer and the role they will play as a crucial, accessible part of the health service. It is also a time to pay tribute to our pharmacy teams across the network and their dedicated work to all in the community who they work tirelessly for all year round.

“Remaining agile throughout the course of the pandemic we introduced new services to meet the changing needs of the public, with the safe supply of medicines a major priority. Our community pharmacy network remains committed to supporting our communities and the wider health service by playing an increased role in primary healthcare ahead of what is expected to be a difficult winter period.

“We are all too aware of the pressures the health service is currently under. Community pharmacy is a vital community health asset, ready to provide practical solutions. I would encourage the public to think ‘Pharmacy First’ this autumn and winter.”

Community Pharmacist, Peter Rice said:

“Throughout the course of the pandemic, community pharmacies have shown that they can make a real difference in our communities as we fight against Covid-19. We are ready to do the same again as we enter what looks to be a challenging winter.

“Many are not fully aware of the impact community pharmacy teams have within their communities, for example, just recently a Northern Ireland community pharmacy pandemic delivery service identified patients who required ambulance call-outs, urgent referrals to ED and prevented harm to many vulnerable, isolated people within our communities.”

“I look forward to celebrating our network on this World Pharmacists Day as we continue to provide accessible healthcare at a convenient location to our patients with a clinician they know and trust.”

Community Pharmacy welcomes the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2021/22 letter issued by the Department of Health today, which confirms an enhanced role for community pharmacists in the flu vaccination programme this winter, following the network’s success in delivering previous flu vaccination services with almost 16,000 people vaccinated in last year’s campaign.

The Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (CPFV) service, beginning in early October is open to those who are aged 50 years and over* and Frontline Health and Social Care Workers with hundreds of community pharmacies across Northern Ireland providing the service.

Community Pharmacy NI, the representative body for all community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, welcomes this greater role and they encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to do their bit to minimise the spread of the seasonal flu, alleviate pressures across the health service and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

Over 350 community pharmacies are currently playing a central role in the Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Vaccination service, which will continue to run into the winter period, with pharmacies also set to play a key role in the booster programme.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“The flu vaccine is vital in protecting the most vulnerable in our society. Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland welcome the expansion of this service and urge anyone who can access the vaccine to do so.

“This winter is expected to be incredibly tough on our health service, with a harsh flu season anticipated, alongside the ongoing battle against COVID-19. The expansion to those over 50 years old * and Frontline Health and Social Care Workers gives the public the option of getting their flu vaccine at a convenient, accessible location with a local pharmacist they know and trust.

“Following on from a successful Community Pharmacy flu vaccination service last winter when almost 16,000 flu vaccine doses were administered, this year’s Community Pharmacy winter flu vaccination service will run alongside the COVID-19 vaccine programme which will include an enhanced and vital role for community pharmacy in the COVID-19 booster programme”

“The threat of COVID-19 has made the need for vaccines even more crucial, and we strongly advise all those eligible to contact your local pharmacy team and get your winter flu vaccine. It is not just your health you protect when you are vaccinated, it is those most vulnerable in our society and the health service that is already working beyond capacity.”

Community Pharmacist, Raymond Anderson said:

“We are thrilled to be offering even more members of our community the opportunity to receive a flu vaccine at their local pharmacy. Community pharmacy has demonstrated it can deliver vaccination programmes successfully and the expansion of this service is welcomed by not only the profession, but also the public.

“The flu is a lot more debilitating than a cold with harsher symptoms that can leave people in need of medical attention. The flu vaccine is the best protection the health service can offer from the seasonal flu. We strongly encourage all within our community who are eligible for the flu vaccine to get in touch. It will protect you and your loved ones this winter.”

*Patients in at risk groups should contact their GP.

Ends//…

The purpose of the group is to raise awareness of the vital role played by the community pharmacy network within health and social care in Northern Ireland; to provide a forum for MLAs and those in the community pharmacy sector to collaborate and discuss various issues relating to community pharmacy; to discuss and explore how community pharmacy can play a key role in the transformation of the health service; and how community pharmacy can support policy-makers in bringing forward evidence based policy ideas that improve health and social care in Northern Ireland.

Further information and Membership is available here.

Monday 6 September was the launch of this year’s HSC mental and emotional wellbeing campaign ‘Holding On To Hope in a Changing World’.

A five week social media campaign will link World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday 10 September through to World Mental Health Day on 10October.

The six Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have joined forces with the Public Health Agency (PHA) to create the campaign to raise awareness of what we can do for ourselves and others to nurture hope in these challenging times. It encourages everyone to hold on to hope to protect our mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as raising awareness of local and national services that are available to help those who need it.

One of the key elements of the campaign is the Hope Quiz. This is a short multiple choice quiz that will determine your current levels of hope. The interactive quiz will direct you to resources, tips and advice that will help improve a sense of hopefulness and promote better mental and emotional wellbeing.

The Hope Quiz and Interactive Campaign Pack will be available on the www.mindingyourhead.info website.

Fiona Teague Mental Health and Suicide Prevention lead at the Public Health Agency said: “We are all living through difficult times – the COVID-19 pandemic has affected each of us differently, some more than others. People’s mental and emotional wellbeing has been challenged in ways they may have never experienced before. The Hope Quiz is a very useful way to check in on ourselves and see where and if we may be struggling. The Campaign Pack will help people to navigate through what they are experiencing and access the right advice and support they need to get them to a better place.

“Research has shown that having a sense of hope helps us to reach our goals in life and is a powerful way of supporting mental wellbeing. People who are more hopeful make healthier lifestyle choices, are more likely to achieve their goals, can cope with and recover from illness much better, and have a stronger sense of meaning and purpose among other tangible benefits.

“Over the coming weeks we will be working collaboratively across the HSC Trusts with the support of the Health and Social Care Board to promote the campaign along with our partners in COVIDWellbeingNI network, the community and voluntary sector and local councils.”

Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Interim Mental Health Champion, said: “Hope is fundamental to good mental health. It is a makes us more likely to overcome barriers exercise agency, and achieve fulfilling goals. It is associated with lower anxiety, and better grades. Importantly, it is a skill that we can learn. By integrating activities that promote hope into our day to day lives we can alter our mindset and do things that previously seemed overwhelming or impossible. Despite the difficulties we have experienced in the past year there remains much to be hopeful for. We have seen communities come together to support the vulnerable in an unprecedented way, and we have learnt that rapid positive change is possible. I would encourage everyone to explore the resources for this campaign. They contain information, and simple evidence-based techniques to promote, hope, gratitude and wellbeing.”

This week also marks World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday 10 September. It is vitally important to remind people that if they or someone they know is experiencing a crisis, that the 24/7crisis helpline Lifeline (0808 808 8000) is available at all times.

Fiona added: “We hope that encouraging people to take the Hope Quiz will give people a chance to think about what their needs are at this time and explore the resources that have been compiled in one place to help prevent people reaching crisis point. We encourage people to recognise the signs in themselves and others and know where they can get help as early as possible.

“It is important to remember that mental health services continue to operate across Northern Ireland at this time. If you are concerned about your physical or emotional wellbeing, you should contact your GP.”

• Visit www.mindingyourhead.info to access the Interactive Campaign Pack and Hope Quiz and COVIDWellbeingNI Hub

• If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and struggling to cope, call Lifeline and speak to a counsellor immediately 0808 808 8000

• Follow #HoldingOnToHope21 for latest campaign information and updates