Category: News

The vaccination dashboard records that 152,789 boosters have now been administered in Northern Ireland, with a further 12,703 third doses also provided.

“I am pleased to see the numbers climbing,” Health Minister Robin Swann stated. “I have been assured that to date more than half a million vaccine doses have now been ordered for the booster dose, with most of it already delivered.

“These vaccines have a short shelf life so we can expect to see the numbers growing rapidly on the dashboard in the coming weeks.

“The booster programme for eligible sections of the general public is being led by GPs and pharmacies, with health trusts vaccinating their staff with boosters as well as care home staff and residents. Community pharmacies are also delivering boosters for frontline staff not employed by Trusts.

“While the welcome increase in booster numbers reflects very hard work by a health system under severe pressure, I want to see the total climb further and faster.

“I have tasked officials with developing further initiatives to complement the current work. I am pleased to report that these are being finalised and should include a programme of walk-in and pop-up clinics – for booster doses, as well as vaccination opportunities for 12-17-year-olds, and for first and second doses generally. Further details of these initiatives will be made public shortly.”

The Head of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme has urged people to come forward for their booster when their turn comes.

Speaking after receiving her own booster jab of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at Cooper’s Pharmacy in Belfast, Patricia Donnelly, said: “We are continuing to see high Covid infection rates so the booster programme is very important. Boosting the immune response after people have received their initial double vaccination course helps to sustain protection against Covid-19. Many people may receive a different vaccine from their 1st two doses and people can be reassured that this is both appropriate and safe.

“Thanks to GP, pharmacy and Trust teams who have now administered over 150,000 boosters since the roll out began a few weeks ago.” 

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene, said: “Over 240 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are involved in the Booster programme and will be on hand to ensure that those eligible can access the vaccine in a convenient, accessible location.

“The booster vaccine is vital in our preparation against Covid-19 this winter – it will help protect not just the public, but the most vulnerable and our health service which is already under extreme pressure. Already we are seeing very strong demand with people wanting to get their Booster vaccine from community pharmacies across Northern Ireland and I would encourage those still eligible, to contact their local participating pharmacy and get the vaccine.”

Michael Cooper, Community Pharmacist, Cooper’s Pharmacy Belfast, said: “I would encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward to get their booster. It is very easy and accessible to get your booster at your local community pharmacy and it is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Those who are eligible for a booster at least six months on from their second dose include:

• those living in care homes
• all adults aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
• adult carers (including foster carers) 
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

More information is available on nidirect: www.nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccine

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will provide a Pharmacy First service again this winter, encouraging patients to contact their local community pharmacy for help with everyday health conditions, including common winter ailments.

The Pharmacy First service enables patients to have a consultation virtually or in a private area with their local community pharmacist. Each month over 10,000 consultations for minor ailments take place in our community pharmacies.

Many common winter conditions can potentially be self-managed. These often require little or no medical intervention. Many people who consult GPs for common conditions could instead be assisted by a community pharmacist.

Pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for a wide range of common conditions.  These include winter health conditions like common colds to everyday health conditions such as head lice, athlete’s foot, diarrhea and hemorrhoids.  If necessary, pharmacists can refer patients to other healthcare professionals as appropriate. 

Patients can call into a community pharmacy for a consultation, but for infection control purposes, it is preferable if they ring the pharmacy first for advice.  They can then have a consultation with the pharmacist over the phone, a video call or go to the pharmacy in person.

Remote consultations will also be available for those who are vulnerable, and those isolating due to COVID-19, who are unable to get medical advice for winter and COVID care.

There is overlap between the symptoms of COVID19 and those of other winter conditions such as; sore throat, headache, myalgia, sneezing, runny nose, cough, cold and other flu-like illness. Patients presenting to the Pharmacy First service with any of these symptoms may receive advice and when necessary medicines to alleviate their symptoms.

Anyone experiencing any COVID symptoms such as high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell should NOT go into the pharmacy.

The Pharmacy First service will be available from participating community pharmacies from 8^th November 2021 until 31^st March 2022.  All patients registered with a GP in Northern can use this service, with the exception of temporary residents and patients living in nursing or residential homes.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health said,

“Community pharmacists are the first point of contact for many people in need of healthcare advice and support, with nearly 10% of the population visiting one of our community pharmacies every day. Community pharmacy teams are now developing their role as an integral part of the Health Service, and are delivering a range of services. The  Pharmacy First’ service will offer people the opportunity to readily access a consultation with a highly trained healthcare professional for advice and treatment for everyday health conditions, and relieve pressures on other acute care providers such as GPs and Emergency Departments.”

Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy, Health and Social Care Board said,

“Community pharmacists have played an important role throughout this pandemic and will continue to do so this winter. I would encourage anyone who has a minor ailment health condition like a sore throat or a cold to think Pharmacy First. Community pharmacists have the skills, expertise and experience to provide advice and treatment for a range of common conditions. This will help GP practices, GP out-of-hours services and Emergency Departments over the coming months when winter ailments illnesses occur more frequently.”

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene continued:

“The launch of the Pharmacy First service for everyday health conditions at community pharmacies comes at a time when the health service is under tremendous strain, and on course for further winter pressures. As a community health asset, community pharmacy continues to be front door to the health service, providing expert clinical assessments, advice and treatments to patients. The Pharmacy First service allows community pharmacies to manage health conditions such as sore throats and the common cold close to home and at a convenient time, benefiting the patient and easing some of the pressures being felt in other parts of the health service.”

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Community pharmacists from across Northern Ireland are encouraging the public to ‘Ask Your Pharmacist’ as part of an awareness raising week on the value and importance of our local community pharmacies.

The week, an initiative by the National Pharmacy Association, is an opportunity to highlight the full range of services available through community pharmacy this autumn and winter, including Covid-19 vaccination, booster jabs and the winter flu vaccination programme.

Amid increasing pressures being felt across primary care, Community Pharmacy NI is reminding the public that community pharmacies, whilst not immune to their own pressures, are an essential community health asset and can take some of the strain off other parts of the health service.

Community Pharmacy NI has recently elected west Belfast pharmacist Peter Rice as its new Chair for the next two years.

Newly elected Chair of Community Pharmacy NI, Peter Rice said:

“Coming into the role of Chair at such a crucial time for the health service, I am pleased to be able to showcase the full range of services community pharmacy is able to provide to patients. Recent months have seen the sector pivot to become the leading facilitator of Covid-19 vaccinations in Northern Ireland. We recently surpassed the 153,000-vaccine doses milestone and are providing booster jabs as part of the next vaccination phase.

“As primary care providers, we are acutely aware of local healthcare pressures and the difficulties some patients find in accessing parts of the health service.

“This Ask Your Pharmacist Week we would like to remind our patients that our community pharmacy teams are there to help.”

Vincent Harkin from Harkin’ Pharmacy in Maghera commented:

 “All year round our community pharmacists have worked hard to support patients and provide help. This year’s Ask Your Pharmacist Week presents an opportunity for us to reflect on their commitment to patient care as an essential part of our health service’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

“As we move ahead into the autumn and winter, I would encourage the public to get behind the message of this year’s campaign: ‘Your local pharmacy can help’, especially with pharmacy providing a whole range of services, running alongside dispensing. We expect there to be additional flu and Covid-19 pressures in the time ahead, so it is really encouraging that the continuity of care is there, and community pharmacy will be there once again to support patients throughout.”

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are currently providing a range of vaccinations including Covid-19 first and second doses, Covid-19 Booster and flu vaccinations, for eligible groups.

Click here to find participating pharmacies

Health Minister Robin Swann has outlined the increased accessibility of Rapid Tests and also highlighted the importance of regular Rapid Testing to help stop the spread of Covid-19 this winter.

With around one in three people with Covid-19 showing no symptoms, identifying cases early is important in helping to limit the spread of the virus. Regular Rapid Testing can help identify positive cases of Covid-19 and enables people with the virus to take steps to stop them giving it to others.

Minister Swann said: “Even if you have already been vaccinated, regular Rapid Testing is important in limiting the spread of the virus, helping to protect those who are vulnerable, as well our health and social care system.

“For those who don’t already test on a regular basis, I would encourage you to avail of the free Rapid Tests that are available and make testing part of your routine. Tests are now readily available for collection right across Northern Ireland and can also be ordered online for delivery straight to your door.”

Free Rapid Tests are now available for:

• Collection at over 550 sites across Northern Ireland, including 504 community pharmacies
• Online home delivery
• Workforce Testing Schemes

Alongside vaccination and contact tracing, testing is one of the key pillars of protection from the virus. Also known as Lateral Flow Device tests or antigen tests, Rapid Tests provide a result within 30 minutes at home.

The Minister added: “It’s important to report every test result, positive, negative or void. This data helps us understand where Covid is spreading and allows us to tackle the virus more effectively.”

More than 40,000 tests were distributed by community pharmacies in the first four weeks of the service launching in September.

Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer said: “Community pharmacies have been a beacon of support in our communities throughout the pandemic. I would urge anyone who hasn’t started using Rapid Tests to ask for a test kit on their next visit to a community pharmacy.”

Matt Wills, Programme Director of the Rapid Testing Team said: “Rapid Tests are easy to access, simple to use and if you take a test first thing in the morning, your result will be ready before you leave the house. It is recommended that people should do a Rapid Test twice a week to check if they have the virus.”

Research by NHS Test and Trace shows Rapid Tests are 99.9% accurate. That means for every 1,000 lateral flow tests carried out, there is less than one false positive result. The tests have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure they are reliable.

The seasonal influenza programme officially began on 1 October 2021, and this year the programme has been expanded with community pharmacies across Northern Ireland offering the vaccine to:

All adults aged 50 years and over and Health and Social Care Workers (HSCWs) aged 16 years and over

Further information including service specification, contractor updates and promotional resources are available here