As pressures continue on the health service due to the Covid-19 pandemic, pharmacies have stepped up to the challenge.

Pharmacy is now delivering booster Covid-19 vaccinations, first and second dose Covid-19 vaccinations and seasonal flu jabs as well as carrying out new services which have changed the role of pharmacy.

Speaking on the booster vaccination, Joe McAleer, Erne Pharmacy and Belcoo Pharmacy said: “Patients should self-identify if they need the booster, patients must be six months on from their second dose of their Covid-19 vaccination and 28 days free from a positive test.”

Increase in patients

Joe has noted an increase in patients presenting to pharmacy since the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive that vaccination passports will be introduced next and enforced from December 13.

Joe feels that “Patients have a great trust in community pharmacy as their vaccine provider, as a result of built -up trust over the years.”

He added: “They also appreciate the professionalism of the service as they get a chance to discuss any reservations and fears, this is especially prevalent in those only presenting now for first and second doses.”

Erne Pharmacy Enniskillen will administer their 1,000th dose of a Covid-19 vaccination next week, sister pharmacy Belcoo Pharmacy is on the cusp of delivering 500 vaccinations.

However, there are still some issues with vaccination wastage and the public are reminded by Joe to notify their pharmacists or GPs if they will not attend their vaccination appointment. Joe added: “Patients not attending is still a big problem for all providers.”

Speaking on the role of pharmacy in the vaccination roll-out, Joe said: “Pharmacy has stood up to the challenges of the last 18 months and from previously not being involved in vaccination programmes to now being one of the main providers.

“This is despite our workload being higher than ever and chronic staffing problems linked to under-funding for many years.”

The role of pharmacy has changed since the pandemic began, Joe explained: “New services which have been introduced over lockdown include; vaccination services, supply of free Lateral Flow Tests, emergency supply service, 365 day a year palliative care rota and emphasising the role of Pharmacy First.”

Pharmacy First is where the patients attend the pharmacy rather than GP, Out of Hours, or Emergency Department for advice and treatment other problems

He said: “The sheer volume of calls has risen five fold in our own pharmacies as patients are unable to get through to other services and as patients enquire and book their vaccines. It is almost a full-time job for one member of staff each day now just receiving calls and dealing with them.”

Joe was keen to emphasise that it is “safe to get vaccinated even if pregnant or breastfeeding and boosters have been shown to boost immunity levels back up to over 93 per cent in those boosted so far”.

Due to the continued presence of the virus in the area Joe emphasised the importance of the public using the right Covid-19 tests. He said: “Lateral Flow tests are only for those with no symptoms to identify patients who may be positive but unaware PCR tests are for people who show symptoms.

“If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, you must get a PCR test, do not put it down as simply a cold.”

He added: “Do not attend your local pharmacy, GP or Accident and Emergency if you have symptoms until you have received a negative PCR, a negative LFT is not sufficient.”

Another key component to keeping pressure off the Health Service is the roll-out of the flu vaccination, Joe said: “There is a big push for everybody who is eligible to get the flu vaccination. A lot of people were not exposed to flu last year so will have no immunity as the flu changes every year.”

All Health and Social Care Workers aged 16 years or older and all adults aged 50 years and older (by 31 March 2022), who are eligible for healthcare in Northern Ireland are eligible for the flu vaccination.