PHARMACIES across the south west, including in Poole and Christchurch, have started delivering the Covid vaccine.

They join the three large vaccination sites, including the BIC, 22 hospital hubs and 112 GP-led primary care network sites live across the region already delivering the vaccine.

This move will see the life-saving vaccination being offered on local high streets, further accelerating the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS.

More pharmacies will go live throughout January in the South West and it is hoped 200 sites will be offering the vaccine nationally by the end of the month. 

South West pharmacies delivering the vaccine from today include:

  • Superdrug, Broadmead, Bristol.
  • Wallisdown Pharmacy, Wallisdown Road, Poole.
  • Locking Pharmacy, Locking, Weston-Super-Mare.
  • Boots Pharmacy, Eastgate Street, Gloucester.
  • The Grove Pharmacy, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch.

In order for the vaccination to be delivered safely pharmacy teams have increased their workforce and ensure social distancing can be adhered to on site. Those pharmacies that don’t have enough space inside their premises will be delivering the vaccine off site.

Christchurch based Mitesh Patel is one of the pharmacists delivering the vaccination in Dorset.

He said: "To date over four million vaccinations have been delivered as part of the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS which is an amazing achievement.

"Pharmacy teams have been working alongside local partners to be able to play a key role in this programme and I am really pleased to be part of it and help deliver the vaccine safely to those who need it most.”

NHS England and NHS Improvement South West chief pharmacist Stephen Brown said: “It’s great to see the first community pharmacies in the South West delivering these life-saving vaccinations, bringing the vaccine out to more places in local communities, making the vaccine more accessible.

“Pharmacies who have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic will now play a vital role in delivering the vaccination, supporting the national drive to protect the nation from the virus.

“Pharmacies are well-versed in supporting NHS immunisation programmes and will build on their expertise of providing a safe, efficient service as they do with the flu vaccine every year.”

People invited to make an appointment through the new national booking service will be given a choice between a vaccination centre or a pharmacy service.