Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19 vaccination service.
Relevant standards
- 4.1 - The pharmacy services provided are accessible to patients and the public
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy is working collaboratively with local schools and colleges to improve the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations by younger people in the area. It provides information and answers to questions from teachers which can be shared with parents and students.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacy recognised that its COVID-19 vaccination service was not operating at full capacity. And that there was a high number of ‘no-shows’ amongst younger people eligible for a vaccination even after they had booked an appointment.
The pharmacist gave talks to the teachers at the local secondary schools and colleges to dispel myths about the COVID-19 vaccine. And signposted teachers to useful information sources. The presentation included a question and answer session where the pharmacist answered questions about the COVID vaccines, their side effects and what they contained. The pharmacist also answered questions on self-isolation and how the booking system worked and when people could expect to receive their second dose.
The teachers then cascaded the information to parents and students. This reduced the number of queries the pharmacy team received and increased the number of bookings for the vaccination service. This health promotion built on the good relationship that the pharmacy had already developed with the local schools, through other initiatives such as providing ‘flu vaccinations to staff members each year.
What difference this made to patients
Young people in schools and colleges are provided with clear and accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccination service. And this is helping to increase the uptake of vaccines in the eligible younger age group. This will help to reduce the transmission of the virus and protect people’s health.
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: