Category: News

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.

Date published: 22 February 2021

Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that the SSE Arena will be used as a vaccination centre for Northern Ireland’s adult population.

It is anticipated the SSE Arena will open in April as a facility for those 60 and under, not already vaccinated through the trust or GP programmes.

The Minister said:“The mass vaccination centre at the SSE Arena signals yet another significant step forward in the roll out of the vaccination programme across Northern Ireland.  The programme is continuing at pace and we are likely to begin vaccinating priority group 7, followed quickly by all other priority groups, starting in early April.  This will see everyone aged 60 and under being offered the vaccine – a monumental next step in a population-wide vaccination programme.”

In addition to the SSE Arena, Trusts will continue to operate large vaccination centres across Northern Ireland with GPs running local vaccination clinics. Access will then be opened further with community pharmacies providing vaccinations on the high street.

The vaccination programme recently opened to all carers aged 18 and over who are the main carer for someone elderly or disabled.  There is currently no definitive list of carers and there are many unpaid carers delivering a vital service in society.

The Minister said: “There are many elderly or disabled people who rely on carers to look after them and their welfare would be a risk if their carer took ill.  We must continue to protect the most vulnerable from the effects of Covid.  That includes doing the right thing and waiting your turn.”

Stormont MLAs have formed a new All Party Group to raise awareness of the role played by community pharmacists and their teams in Northern Ireland.

The group will be chaired by South Antrim MLA, Pam Cameron and will meet regularly to discuss the issues facing community pharmacists working in local communities across Northern Ireland.

At the group’s inaugural meeting, MLAs strongly condemned the recent attack on a female community pharmacist working in South Belfast last week.

Chair of the All Party Group, Pam Cameron MLA said:

“We are really pleased to be able to bring forward an All Party Group on Community Pharmacy at Stormont. This group is important because it will highlight the hugely important role played by community pharmacists in our local communities.

“Community pharmacists have been on the front line of delivering highly accessible services to patients during this pandemic, but their expertise should be always valued, even after we emerge from Covid. It has become clear to me and my MLA colleagues that there is a greater role for community pharmacists beyond Covid and this group will explore and raise awareness of that.

“On behalf of the new group, I would also like to reiterate our condemnation of the despicable attack on a community pharmacist in Belfast just last week. It is appalling that front line workers like community pharmacists are assaulted as they diligently carry out their duties, helping people who need them. Attacks on frontline workers are completely unjustifiable and we send our best wishes to the pharmacists involved in this attack.”

Chief Executive of CPNI, Gerard Greene said:

“We are thrilled to see an All Party Group established on Community Pharmacy at Stormont. In the past year, it is fair to say that community pharmacy teams have gone beyond the call of duty to continue to provide open and accessible services to patients who need their advice and support.

“Community pharmacy is ready and willing to do more and be a key part of how we transform our health service to cope with increasing demands on it. Working with MLAs at Stormont, we hope to be able to demonstrate the value of investing in community pharmacy services, making it part and parcel of health service transformation and ensuring that people can get access to us when they need us.

“Community pharmacy is often referred to as the front door of the health service and is not appointment led, meaning that the public have immediate access to professional advice when they need it. Over 123,000 people visit pharmacies in Northern Ireland every day. This in turn helps keep people out of GP surgeries and hospitals.

“The sector is also very keen to play a role in the Covid vaccination programme as soon as possible and look forward to that becoming a reality in the coming weeks as we work together to fight this pandemic and protect the most vulnerable.”