Pharmacists to begin vaccinating from today

Pharmacists across the country will begin administering Covid-19 vaccines from today.

Up to 1,300 pharmacists will begin administering the single-dose Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine this week.

It is expected they will also begin administering the Pfizer vaccine in the next couple of weeks.

People over the age of 50 who haven’t yet received a Covid-19 vaccine can now get one in their local pharmacy.

It is not necessary to register online for the service but people will need to book a vaccine appointment with a participating pharmacist, a list of which can be found on the HSE’s website.

Darragh O’Loughlin, chief executive of the Irish Pharmacy Union, said pharmacists have been ready and waiting to begin administering Covid-19 vaccines to the public for the last few months.

“The first is that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be delivered to 700 or 800 pharmacies in the coming days and those will be available for anyone over the age of 50 who hasn’t already been vaccinated, whether or not they registered on the HSE portal."

He explained that in a few weeks time, a number of pharmacies will have the Pfizer vaccine and they’ll be using them just the same as the vaccination centres and GPs as part of the national vaccination programme.

Meanwhile the Boots Pharmacy Chain said vaccines will be available in its 81 pharmacies nationwide from this week.

In line with the HSE vaccination schedule, Johnson and Johnson vaccinations are available in pharmacies for people aged 50plus who have missed out on their vaccine or not been able to get to a vaccination centre.