Category: News

Health Minister Robin Swann has today launched a new community pharmacy Covid-19 vaccination service.

Speaking during a visit to Timoney Pharmacy in Lambeg, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “This is a significant day in our vaccination journey and I am delighted to formally launch this new Covid-19 vaccination service in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.”

The new service will see almost 350 community pharmacies throughout Northern Ireland begin to administer the vaccine and will mean eligible members of the public will be able to avail of the vaccine at a location more local to them. At present this applies to those aged 50 years and over. This latest development follows the official opening of the Covid-19 vaccination centre at the SSE arena in Belfast earlier today.

As with previous phases of the vaccination programme, it is anticipated that demand for the community pharmacy Covid-19 vaccine service will be high and members of the public are asked to remain patient. Information on how to book a vaccination appointment at a pharmacy is published on the Covid-19 NI vaccination website.

Minister Swann said: “Community pharmacy teams have remained dedicated to providing the public with vital health care and support through what have been very challenging times. Pharmacists have a wealth of expertise, skills and experience which makes them very well-placed for delivering the Covid-19 vaccine. The addition of this new service will help speed up the roll-out of the existing programme by increasing capacity and local accessibility to vaccines for the general population, particularly for those who may find it more difficult to travel to one of the mass vaccination centres.”

After receiving her vaccine at the pharmacy, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison said: “Community pharmacies have played a vital role throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so as they join the vaccination roll-out programme. Over the course of the past year, the general public has come to rely on community pharmacists more than ever before due to their accessibility and the addition of this new service will greatly benefit the people of Northern Ireland. 

“Given the high demand for vaccines we anticipate that community pharmacies will be a popular option for those who are eligible so please be patient with pharmacy teams.”  

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the Health and Social Care Board said: “The COVID vaccination campaign is one of the ways that we as a society will move forward. It is vital that our population has every opportunity to access this service and it’s fantastic to have almost 350 additional locations where people can book an appointment for a vaccine at a time and a place that suits them.

“I wish to recognise the tremendous response of community pharmacy teams in supporting the response to COVID and support our pathway out of the pandemic.”

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI said: “I am delighted to see the roll out of the community pharmacy vaccination programme. This will bring a further boost to the regional and national vaccination programme and ensure that even more people in our communities are protected from the virus.

“The advantage in being able to receive the vaccine at participating local community pharmacies is their accessibility so people can get the vaccine at a location more convenient to them.

“We do ask the public for patience over the coming weeks as this new service gets up and running. Pharmacists will be vaccinating the public along with their usual work in ensuring the safe supply of medicines and provision of medical advice.  

“As clinically trained vaccinators, community pharmacists are looking forward to begin vaccinating their communities and contribute even further to the wider Covid-19 response.” As always, the pace of the roll-out of the vaccination programme will be dependent on the availability of vaccine supplies.

Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Northern Ireland entering into lockdown on 23 March 2020, CEO of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Over the course of the past year, the pandemic has placed community pharmacy front and centre in the fight against Covid-19 within our communities. From the very beginning our network stepped up, adjusted to a fast-moving situation, and made sure they could be there for communities in need.

“Overnight, community pharmacies and services were adapted to meet new demands including social distancing measures and protective screens. We adjusted working hours to account for long queues of anxious patients and ensure everyone who needed us could access the pharmacy. Many pharmacies split teams into bubbles to make sure no pharmacy had to close because of staff contracting Covid -19. Pharmacy footfall increased fourfold in the early months of the pandemic with an average of 40,000 more people per week and pharmacists working 70-hour weeks to meet this demand.

“The defining characteristic shown by our community pharmacy teams has been resilience. As medical professionals, they understood the gravity of the virus and were determined to protect as many members of their communities from Covid-19. As other medical facilities closed their doors, pharmacies remained open to ensure the safe supply of medicines and provide sound clinical advice becoming the first port of call for anyone managing a lifelong condition or experiencing illness.

“The adaptability of the community pharmacy network was further highlighted in its role in the wider health response to Covid-19. Through expanded services, including the Emergency Supply Service and the Pharmacy First Programme, pharmacies were able to take some of the pressure of other health services that needed to focus on the most unwell in our society Pharmacies also introduced a new flu vaccination service initially to include health care workers and later expanded to be offered to all those over 50.

“The pandemic has changed the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland. Nobody could have foreseen the past year. Time is now needed for reflection on what has happened and the lessons learned that can be taken forward as we try to build back and recover. The Covid-19 vaccination programme is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I am proud that community pharmacies will be delivering the vaccine to their communities in the coming weeks.

“This week, as we reflect, we recognise the incredible work of the community pharmacy network over the past year, we remember the lives that we have lost, and pay tribute to all our health colleagues who have fought alongside us to protect our communities and save lives.”

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will join the Covid-19 vaccination programme from the end of this month, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. And that will bring the life-saving vaccination drive to many local high streets, urban and rural neighbourhoods The plan will see hundreds of community pharmacies provide vaccine jabs to members of the public, complementing the work of GP practices and vaccination centres.

Over 300 pharmacies have signed up to be part of the scheme to date. The official launch of the roll-out to community pharmacies will be on March 30, although it is expected that many will have started before then. This new initiative will provide a convenient, localised vaccination service, with eligible members of the public receiving their jabs in scheduled vaccination clinics. March is shaping up to be a very significant month in the programme, with the opening of the new mass vaccination centre at the SSE Arena taking place on March 29.

The Health Minister said: “I am delighted to confirm yet another positive development in our drive to protect the people of Northern Ireland from Covid-19. “Community pharmacists are an integral part of the health and social care family. Their contribution to getting as many people vaccinated as possible will be invaluable.”

Northern Ireland’s Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison said: “Community pharmacies are the most accessible healthcare service for the public and their involvement in the Covid-19 vaccination programme will build on the success of their role in Northern Ireland’s 2020/21 winter flu vaccination. “I want to thank all the pharmacy staff involved and representatives of the community pharmacy sector for their support in bringing this plan to fruition.”

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the Health and Social Care Board, said: “The Covid vaccination campaign is one of the ways that we as a society will move forward. It is vital that our population has every opportunity to access this service and it’s fantastic to have over 300 further points where people can book an appointment for a vaccine at a time and a place that suits them. I wish to recognise the tremendous response of community pharmacy teams in supporting the response to Covid and our pathway out of the pandemic.”

The Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene, said: “This is a fantastic and welcome step forward. The accessibility and reach of the community pharmacy network, with pharmacists as skilled vaccinators, means they are well equipped to take part in the vaccine programme and further contribute to the pandemic response. “Throughout the pandemic, the community pharmacy workforce has gone above and beyond to support patients across Northern Ireland. This latest example shows our pharmacists collaborating to ensure a smooth and safe vaccine programme to protect the public. This should be commended. “We would also remind the public that community pharmacies remain open with support and guidance for any medical concern. The vaccination programme will not impact on other services and prescriptions will be dispensed in a safe, convenient and timely manner. Public health continues to be our top priority and the community pharmacy network remains committed to serving their communities. The Covid-19 vaccine is another example of community pharmacy playing that central role in primary healthcare.”

As always, the pace of the roll-out of the vaccination programme will be dependent on the availability of vaccine supplies.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA has thanked community pharmacy teams for their ongoing commitment and support to patients and wider society during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The deputy First Minister met with representatives of the community pharmacy network on Friday to hear the experiences of pharmacy team across the North during the first wave of the pandemic.

During the meeting, Minister O’Neill, who was joined by Sinn Fein colleagues, Francie Molloy MP, Emma Sheerin MLA and Linda Dillon MLA, heard about the range of continuing measures community pharmacies have introduced to shield patients from the virus, while ensuring the on-going safe supply of medicines and the right clinical advice is given to all within their communities. 

The deputy First Minister, who was Health Minister in 2016, heard of the advancements in new services being provided by community pharmacies including the flu vaccine service that has resulted in nearly 17,000 people receiving the flu vaccine from their local pharmacy this winter.

The delegation also discussed the plans for the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out through community pharmacies with the deputy First Minister. Over 300 community pharmacies have come forward to say that they wish to provide Covid-19 vaccinations which will start in the coming weeks.

Speaking after the meeting, deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA said:

“It was a privilege to speak with the representatives of the community pharmacy network who have played a vital role on the front line during the past 12 months.

“Many of us have depended on our local community pharmacists, as they continued to provide an essential health service to local communities, ensuring medicines were supplied to the most vulnerable and clinical advice was given to patients in need.

The deputy First Minister continued:

“I was especially pleased to hear about the plans the network has for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine. The convenience and accessibility of our community pharmacies will enhance the vaccine programme even further.

“When I was Health Minister, I signed a memorandum of understanding with the community pharmacy network, to bring forward a new framework for community pharmacy services. Since the pandemic, it is clear to me that community pharmacists can play an even greater role in delivering healthcare to local communities. The pandemic has only highlighted further their value within both the wider health service and society as the supportive, accessible, and resilient healthcare provider we all rely on.

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI said:

“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with the deputy First Minister and discuss the pivotal role community pharmacists have played over the past year in the pandemic response.

“The pressure faced by pharmacy teams over the past twelve months has been immense.  From tirelessly working extra hours to ensure medicines were sourced and dispensed to patients and risking their own health on the frontline every day, the commitment shown by community pharmacy teams has without doubt saved lives. It is great to see our teams get the recognition they deserve.

“It was terrific to outline the plans for community pharmacists involvement in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine programme. The network has the capacity and pharmacists are clinically trained to vaccinate the public and further contribute to the pandemic response and improving public health. Through our current engagement with the Department of Health and Health and Social Care Board, we hope to start vaccinating the public in the coming weeks.”

The vaccine programme has been extended to include people aged 60-64.

People who are aged 60-64 can now book a Covid-19 vaccine online at one of the trust vaccination centres.

To make an appointment please visit the online portal: COVID-19 Vaccine Service for NI

The online platform is the primary source to book an appointment and should be used in the first instance.

A telephone booking system is also available should you not have access to the online portal.  Telephone 0300 200 7813. The phone line is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Anyone attending a vaccination centre can be assured that social distancing and other Covid safety rules are strictly applied.

People must get their first and second doses from the same provider – they must not try to “mix and match” between GPs and vaccination centres.

Health Minister Robin Swann has a launched a new campaign to help promote distance awareness.

The campaign uses a consistent and instantly recognisable symbol, the Distance Aware Shield to help remind people to maintain a social distance. Organisations and individuals can support the campaign by wearing a badge or displaying a poster with the Distance Aware Shield.

Launching the initiative Health Minister Robin Swann said: “The introduction of the Distance Aware Shield in Northern Ireland comes at a critical time for us. The progress we have achieved to date in our vaccination programme is very welcome but we cannot allow complacency to creep in.

“It remains as important as ever to follow the public health advice – this includes washing our hands, wearing a face covering and keeping our distance. The badges and posters will be a helpful prompt to maintain distance.”

The campaign will be promoted through community pharmacies, general practices (GPs), Health and Social Care Trusts, and in the voluntary and community sector through the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA). Northern Ireland sporting bodies and retailer Asda are also backing the campaign. Distance Aware badges will be available from information points in all Asda stores.

Minister Swann added: “The badge can be worn by anyone to signify that they wish to maintain social distancing and it is not meant to be an identifier of someone who has been shielding or may have any specific health condition. This is an opportunity for members of the public to become more involved in promoting the social distancing message and to help our efforts to halt the spread of Covid. There is a very simple message behind the scheme – show your concern and respect for other people by maintaining social distancing.”

Commenting on the new initiative Chief Executive of the Patient and Client Council Vivian McConvey said: “Our natural inclination is to embrace people when we see them, it’s part of our nature here, and at a time when we all really need some contact, we must go the extra mile to remain safe and be mindful of keeping others we care about safe too. The Distance Aware campaign launched today by the Minister will help with the collective efforts on this front.  Having been involved in the initial research, we welcome this initiative which provides a polite visual reminder to those we meet to ask them to respect our space.”

Olive MacLeod Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency said: “The PHA has partnered with over 500 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland to support this initiative. Pharmacies sit at the heart of local communities and they will be a great help in promoting the campaign and in distributing Distance Aware badges to members of the public, especially to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. As lockdown measures start to gradually ease in the coming months, it is hoped that wearing the badge and signalling the need for distance will help reduce levels of anxiety experienced by members of the public around contracting the virus. Covid-19 will continue to be with us for quite some time. To help protect ourselves and others, we all need to keep following the public health advice.”

The Distance Aware campaign was launched in Wales last year and was adapted for use in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health, the Public Health Agency and the Patient and Client Council.