City's MPs back Sunderland Echo campaign to allow local pharmacies to offer coronavirus vaccine jabs

Short in the Arm urges the Government to utilise the nation’s army of 11,000 pharmacies so that it can reach its own target of immunising two million people a week.

Sunderland pharmacies – which are already experienced in offering flu jabs – have said they could begin vaccinating people within 24 hours of receiving supplies.

Yet so far only 200 pharmacies throughout England have been allowed to take part in the roll-out programme.

Sunderland’s three Labour MPs have now praised the Echo’s campaign, run in conjunction with our sister titles nationwide, while outlining why they feel it is important to bring the vaccination programme closer to people’s homes.

Bridget Phillipson, who represents Houghton and Sunderland South and who has previously championed the work of community pharmacies in offering flu jabs, said: “If we want to get Britain vaccinated, the Government needs to step up its efforts to roll out the vaccine.

“That means making use of our community pharmacies to deliver the vaccine across our community as quickly as possible, as the Echo has rightly called for.

"This will help us secure our economy, protect the NHS, and rebuild our country.”

Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott added: “It is absolutely vital that the Government steps up its vaccination programme.

“It is the best way to keep each other safe and return our lives to normal.

“This is why I support the Echo’s calls to deliver the vaccines through our community pharmacies.

“They do trusted and vital work in the community, and it would be massively missed opportunities if their services were ignored.”

Sharon Hodgson, who represents Washington and Sunderland West, also said: "I'm pleased to back the Echo's campaign.

“We need to vaccinate Britain. We need a round-the-clock vaccine programme, 24-hours a day, seven days a week and our community pharmacies should play a key part in that."

The leader of Sunderland Conservatives, Councillor Antony Mullen, has also backed Shot in the Arm, saying: “Pharmacies could play an important part in ramping up vaccine delivery and I support the campaign to get them on board."

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