Local pharmacies could begin offering coronavirus vaccines in NI in just weeks as ‘ramp-up’ begins in March

Patricia Donnelly outlined, during an appearance at the Stormont health committee today, some details of the “ramp-up” of the vaccine roll-out expected to begin next month.

She said an extra mass vaccination centre – in addition to the seven already up-and-running in Northern Ireland – at the SSE Arena in Belfast could open ahead of schedule.

The health official told MLAs the new vaccine centre could be open before the end of next month.

She also confirmed to the committee members that plans are being developed to allow people to get their jab through local pharmacies.

The news comes after the News Letter, along with sister titles across the UK, launched a campaign last month for community pharmacies to be involved in the roll-out.

Gerard Greene, head of Community Pharmacy NI, was one of those backing the campaign.

He said more than 300 local pharmacies here are already well placed to “take some of the pressure off” the health service by rolling out the vaccine.

“Community pharmacies are ideally placed to really play a role now in rapidly vaccinating members of the population,” he said.

Mr Greene added: “We can all see the pressures that are in the health service at the minute and we can take some of that pressure off.”

Ms Donnelly confirmed the intention to increase vaccination rates from next month onwards.

“During March, we hope to have a lot more vaccine so we’re going to really ramp up the programme through March and we’re in the active planning stage for that,” she said.

“The next three priority groups are all age-related, so priority group seven is the over-60s, eight is the over 55s, and nine is the 50s and above.

“As part of that we have commissioned a piece of work to open a large vaccination centre in the SSE Arena and we hope that will open towards the end of March.”

She continued: “We are also developing plans with community pharmacy to have local access, and local access will continue through general practice.

“We are trying to do this as quickly as possible. We expect there will be bumps along the way but when we hear about them we can solve them or work with others to solve them.”

The vaccine chief also said some people have been taking advantage of the call-out issued to carers to come forward and book vaccinations.

She told MLAs that the online booking system has now been taken offline, while the the vaccine call out will continue through general practice, with carer organisations to be contacted to approach carers directly for their vaccinations.