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

Superdrug healthcare director Michael Henry said the multiple is “in active discussions” with NHSE&I “about how we can best help them through further pharmacy and nurse involvement”.

While it could not confirm the exact number of approved sites, Superdrug did confirm it will offer the booster vaccinations from more pharmacies than the current 19 branches involved in phase 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme - two of which are located in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Superdrug in Guildford, Surrey, was one of the first pharmacy-led sites to join the COVID-19 vaccination service in January.

Since then, Superdrug pharmacy and nurse teams have administered more than 171,500 COVID-19 vaccinations, the multiple said.

“Variety” of AIMp member pharmacies involved

Association of Independent Multiple pharmacies (AIMp) CEO Leyla Hannbeck said the “vast majority” of members have reported being involved in the COVID-19 vaccination service so far, and members will “continue  to play a big role in phase 3 of the booster jab programme”.

“There is a variety in the number of sites,” Dr Hannbeck told C+D today (September 17).

“Some members have one branch involved and some have 43 sites involved in the programme. As more sites are being confirmed, we are currently capturing data from our members to look at the total number,” she added.

C+D reported yesterday that 12 Lloydspharmacy branches will offer COVID-19 booster vaccinations, while Boots and Well are also preparing to support phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, but are yet to finalise numbers.