The involvement of pharmacies in the Covid vaccination programme has been a huge success and clearly demonstrates the need to further expand vaccination services by community pharmacists, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has said.

According to IPU president and community pharmacist, Dermot Twomey, community pharmacists have been “centrally involved” in the Covid vaccine programme.

“At the peak, pharmacies administered more than 85,000 vaccines a week, including to people who may have been hesitant or unable to attend mass vaccine centres,” he commented.

He pointed out that pharmacies are an ideal location for vaccinating people as there is less travel and time involved in appointments and they have “ample capacity to administer vaccines”.

However, currently, pharmacies are not permitted to administer second boosters for those over the age of 65 (and over-12s who are immunocompromised), although approval for this is expected shortly.

Mr Twomey noted that with 78 million patient visits per year, the pharmacy sector is already the most accessed part of the health system, “but there is a capacity and willingness to do far more for patients”.

“Pharmacy vaccination services are well received by the public and are provided to a high standard. This has been evident with both the Covid-19 vaccine and the annual flu vaccine. We are calling for pharmacists to be able to administer additional vaccines to prevent pneumococcal disease and hepatitis. Pharmacists have the capacity to expand their services and relieve pressure on GPs and other services,” he insisted.

He said that in the post-Covid era, there is a “once in a generation chance to get things right”.

“This must involve a meaningful expansion of properly resourced pharmacy services including expanded vaccination services,” Mr Twomey added.

The IPU made its comments to coincide with World Immunisation Week, which runs from April 24-30.