The petition urges NHSE&I scrap the requirement for pharmacies to be able to vaccinate 1,000 people per week before they can apply to deliver the local enhanced service (LES).

Currently, only a "limited number" of pharmacies have been approved to offer the vaccines when the LES kicks off on Monday (January 11) because the majority of pharmacies do not meet the requirements set out in the LES. The number and location of the approved sites are still being finalised.

Pharmacies have shared their frustrations at not being able to offer COVID-19 vaccines with C+D, with one contractor pointing out that teams are "ready, willing and able" to help the government reach its target of vaccinating two million people a week.

NHSE&I told C+D yesterday (January 5) that it is prioritising pharmacies with high thoroughfare, but said it is considering how more pharmacies can be involved in the coming days and weeks.

An NHS spokesperson said: “Pharmacies are already working with GPs to deliver the vaccine in many areas of the country and as more supply becomes available, many more pharmacists will play a role in delivering the NHS’s phased vaccination programme, the biggest in the health service’s history.”

Sign and share the petition here.