Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.1 - The pharmacy services provided are accessible to patients and the public
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy is actively working with a local Imam, and with the support of the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to encourage people to attend when called for their COVID-19 vaccination.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy-led COVID-19 vaccination site had identified that only 0.25% of people who had been vaccinated at the site during the first few days of it operating were from a black and minority ethnic (BAME) group. The pharmacy identified that this figure was in sharp contrast to the local demographics which included a large BAME community. The pharmacist clinical lead was concerned about some misleading information which may put people off attending for the vaccine. So he spoke with the Imam at the local mosque about his concerns. And they had worked together to approach the local CCG about the low uptake rate.
The pharmacy arranged for a site visit to be made to the site by the Imam, where the efforts of the pharmacy team and volunteers were demonstrated. The CCG then worked with the Imam to put together a video in Urdu which it posted on the CCG’s social media page promoting vaccination uptake, and the importance of not changing behaviour once a person had received their vaccine.
The pharmacy’s vaccinator team was made up of pharmacists of different genders, some of whom were multi-lingual. And the pharmacy was doing its best to promote this message as well, as it felt it helped people feel more comfortable knowing that the pharmacy could facilitate individual needs.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy’s work with the Imam is helping to improve vaccine confidence among patients in BAME groups. This group of patients are at higher risk of serious illness or death if they are to contract the virus. And so encouraging uptake of the vaccine is vital in protecting their health and wellbeing.
Highlighted standards
We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement: