The first pharmacies approved to deliver the local enhanced service (LES) COVID-19 vaccination programme will begin administering vaccines from January 11, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) confirmed in a letter dated December 28.

However, the number and location of the approved sites are still being finalised, NHSE&I told C+D yesterday (January 5).

When asked by C+D if and how Morrisons pharmacies are planning to be involved in the vaccination programme, a spokesperson said: “Pharmacy2U will be using some of our sites to deliver the vaccines.”

Several news outlets have reported that up to 50 Morrisons supermarket car parks will be used as COVID-19 vaccination points, with Pharmacy2U managing the service.

Three sites, in Wakefield, Winsford and Yeovil, are expected to go live next week* – subject to approval from NHSE&I – with another 47 “offered up” should they be required and depending on the availability of the vaccine, Morrisons’ chief executive David Potts told The Yorkshire Post.

Morrisons’ assets will be “at the disposal of the country”, Mr Potts added.

Pharmacy2U declined to comment when contacted by C+D.

*This article was updated on January 7 at the request of Morrisons