First Superdrug vaccination site in Leeds Merrion Centre starts administering jabs

The pharmacy in the Merrion Centre is one of just four Superdrug vaccination sites open across the country, supporting the NHS in the rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.

Following a successful trial in Guilford, Surrey, the pharmacy giant has opened up three more sites in Leeds, Bristol and Manchester today.

Pharmacists and nurses at the Merrion Centre site will administer jabs on behalf of the NHS from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

-> The 17 vaccination sites in Leeds where Covid jabs are now being administered

They will deliver around 1,000 vaccinations a week.

Vaccinations are by appointment-only.

People should not contact their GP about a vaccination unless asked to do so and they should not attend any vaccination site without an appointment.

Superdrug’s healthcare director Michael Henry said: “We now have four Superdrug sites supporting the NHS with the rollout of its critical vaccination programme with sites in Basingstoke and Cambridge launching in the coming weeks.

"We continue to be in active discussions with the NHS and stand ready to offer additional vaccination sites through further pharmacy involvement.”

Superdrug will be following the strict eligibility and booking protocols agreed with the NHS.

The NHS will contact patients directly following the cohort priority list.

Patients will need to book an appointment for their vaccine with the NHS directly through the NHS National Booking Site.

At the designated time a patient will need to arrive at the designed Superdrug location.

Patients will then have their booking reference reviewed and confirmed by one of the Superdrug vaccination team before being vaccinated in one of Superdrug’s consultation rooms.

Following their vaccination patients will be required to wait for 15 minutes to be monitored for side effects.

Mr Henry added: "Our pharmacists and nurses are experienced vaccinators having been involved in the Flu vaccination programme this winter and are well prepared to use their clinical expertise to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Opening more vaccination sites on the high street increases its accessibility to people most at risk from coronavirus and it gives them the option of having the vaccine given to them by a local pharmacist who they know and trust.

"We welcome the opportunity for more of our front-line clinical teams together with other community pharmacy teams to play an even greater role in delivering the vaccination service to more patients more quickly.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has set an ambitious target of having 14million people vaccinated against Covid-19 by mid-February.

The Yorkshire Evening Post has teamed up with sister titles across the country to urge Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deploy the country’s network of 11,000 pharmacies to ensure that every citizen is only a short walk away from a centre.

Over 82,000 people have now signed our petition - and counting.

Our campaign also requests further reassurance for local communities from the Government and more easy-to-access information on the vaccine programme and its progress.

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe