Welsh Government playing catch-up over community pharmacy Covid vaccination rollout

Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW) has highlighted the failings of the Welsh Government to engage with pharmacies in the delivery of the Covid vaccine rollout.

CPW made the statement in an open letter published today (January 14), which Andrew RT Davies MS – the Shadow Health Minister – has described as a “damning indictment” of the Labour administration’s approach to managing the pandemic.

Mr Davies said:

“Pharmacies in England are joining the fight against the virus and starting to play their role in the rollout of the vaccination programme, and here in Wales there is great enthusiasm from pharmacies to do just the same.

“Community pharmacies are a trusted and friendly face on the high street and need to be deployed as soon as possible to expand the vaccination roll out across Wales.  

“It is worrying they have yet to be commissioned and engagement has been so minimal, and this could be another example where the Welsh Labour Government is forced to play catch-up.

“This dither and delay could cost lives and livelihoods and it’s now imperative the First Minister eases the pressure on the health minister and appoints a dedicated vaccinations minister to deliver the rollout at rapid speed.”