A Lloydspharmacy spokesperson told C+D today that 12 of its branches are involved in phase 3 of the programme, and that the sites have now been confirmed by NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I).

“We are working closely with our field and NHS teams to ensure we can mobilise as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.

Boots and Well are also preparing to support phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, C+D reported yesterday (September 15). At the time of reporting, they were still waiting for NHSE&I to confirm the number of branches from which they will be able to offer the service.

NHSE&I announced today (September 16) that full rollout of the booster programme will begin next week, “as more vaccination centres and community pharmacy-led sites come online following final checks”.

Meanwhile, hospital hubs started vaccinating frontline health and care workers today and are “identifying other eligible patients for their booster vaccine immediately”, NHSE&I said.

Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has started following the endorsement by the UK government of the updated Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on the COVID-19 booster programme, which was issued earlier this week (September 14).

PGD and National Protocol to be updated

NHSE&I sent a letter to primary care teams involved in the vaccination programme yesterday, detailing the actions they are expected to take for phase 3 of the programme.

The letter, which was also addressed to community pharmacy-led sites, advised that a new local enhanced service specification is being updated for the sector in light of the most recent JCVI recommendations.

“Until the patient group direction (PGD) and National Protocol have been updated, only community pharmacies with a prescriber on-site are able to administer booster dose vaccinations,” NHSE&I wrote.

“We expect the PGD to be updated by September 21 and the National Protocol to follow shortly after,” NHSE&I added.

Pharmacy-led sites meeting the prescribing requirements for working under a patient specific direction (PSD) can commence offering the booster doses to health and social care workers via walk-ins/local bookings ahead of the opening of the National Booking System.