NHS staff will be delivering life-saving Covid-19 jabs at a network of more than 220 vaccination sites across the North West when six more services open their doors today (4 February 2021).

This week 11 more new pharmacy sites will be opening in the region, including Edge Hill University in Ormskirk.

The sports hall at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk has this morning opened its doors to the local community, with pharmacists from Aspire Healthcare, the local pharmacy, offering the vaccines.

The University offered its facilities, car parking and some staff free of charge to the pharmacy to help.

Ali Dalal, Superintendent Pharmacist for Aspire, said: “Pharmacists across the country are ready and willing to participate in the vaccination programme and to see our centre ready is a really positive step. One of the beauties of community pharmacy is in its name; community. It fills me with hope that when we asked Edge Hill University if we could use their site to vaccinate the local community, they were more than happy to help.

“All vaccinations are by appointment only. People will be contacted when it’s their turn to be vaccinated. No drop-in vaccinations are available and members of the public who arrive without a booking will not be vaccinated. After receiving the vaccine, people must continue to follow the guidance to social distance, use a mask or face covering in public places and wash their hands regularly.”

Sean Cloherty, 71, who received one of the first vaccines of the day at the University site, said: “I’m happy to be getting my vaccine. I haven’t been able to get out, I’m vulnerable and I’ve been waiting to get it. It kind of feels like I’m getting out of prison!”

Edge Hill University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Steve Igoe said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have worked together with our partners and have risen to the challenges of Covid-19; from offering symptoms and no symptoms testing facilities on campus, to volunteering to support our local communities or leading on research to increase our understanding of the virus and its impact.

“The delivery of these vaccines offers us some light at the end of the tunnel that one day soon we will be able to come together again with family, friends and colleagues.”

Another pharmacy site going live today was Davey’s Chemist in Huyton, Liverpool, managed by John Davey, whose sister Mary Davey launched a vaccination service at the family-run business’s site in Randall Drive, Litherland, last week. Other pharmacy sites launching across the North West this week are:

• ACT Centre – Peel Street Pharmacy – Accrington
• Boots – Chester
• Boots – Southport
• Boots – Speke
• Broadway Pharmacy – Preston
• Everest Pharmacy – Darwen
• Morecambe Cricket Club (live from Saturday 6^th February)
• Our Lady Star of the Sea – St Anne’s Pharmacy
• Pharmacy2u – Village Hotel – Warrington