Jannsen (J&J) single shot Covid vaccine now available from pharmacies in Westmeath
With Covid-19 vaccination taking place at mass vaccination centres and GP surgeries, the numbers of those vaccinated has risen more than 3 million with at least first dose. To build on this success, the HSE is now pushing harder to maximise the vaccination effort over the next few months, and the availability of vaccine has been extended to include Irish community pharmacies.
In Westmeath, 18 community pharmacies are offering Covid 19 vaccines as off this week. Pharmacist Eamonn Brady of Whelehans Pharmacies in Mullingar said: “This move to vaccinate at community pharmacies has been mooted for some time, and pharmacists have been ready for a while now. It’s great that pharmacists are finally able to play a vital part in helping the country-wide HSE effort to shorten the national timeframe to full protection.”
Single jab vaccine for over 50s
Pharmacies’ initial offering is the single-shot Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine to the over 50 age group who have yet to receive any type of vaccination.
Mr Brady said: “I’m confident that the HSE will soon make the decision to broaden the range of Covid-19 vaccines available through local pharmacies. The Pfizer Vaccine will soon be available through some pharmacies, but the HSE is limiting it only to pharmacies not located near a mass vaccination clinic; so, no Westmeath pharmacy is able to offer the Pfizer, Astra Zeneca or Moderna vaccine just yet.
“This policy is in constant review by the Dept of Health so hopefully soon pharmacists can offer all four vaccines to younger patients. Pharmacists have been administering the flu vaccines safely for 10 years in Ireland, and Whelehans Pharmacies, for example, administered more than 1000 flu vaccines last flu season, so pharmacies like mine have the expertise and facilities to offer the Covid-19 vaccine safely.”
Mr Brady pointed out that there are many reasons people over 50 have yet to receive a jab. “For some it is just a matter of personal choice, for others it may be lack of privacy or an aversion to crowded mass vaccination centres, or the 2-stage vaccine method which has, until lately, been the only choice.
“We have some people deciding to get the vaccine having initially decided against it as they plan to travel abroad for holidays and getting vaccinated reduces the need for the likes of quarantining. We have been inundated with queries since it was announced that vaccines are available via pharmacies.
“The combination of a single-shot jab, with a high protection factor against serious illness of 77% within 14 days rising to 85% after 28 days along with delivery at the trusted private environment of their local community pharmacy is attracting those previously reticent regarding the whole vaccination process”.
Benefits versus risk
Mr Brady said that “pharmacist are experts on the benefits as well as the risks of medication, and vaccines are no different”.
“While the benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine greatly outweigh the risk, Vaccines are not without risk; however, the risk of adverse effects are small. For example, the Janssen vaccine has an approximately 1 in 300,000 risk of a very rare blood clot with low platelets; 1 in 10 of these people may die meaning a possible death rate of one in 3 million.
“To put this in perspective, around two in every 1,000 women develop a blood clot during or after pregnancy, while women who take the contraceptive pill have a one in 2,000 chance of getting a blood clot. The risk of clots from flying is 1 in 4500. Your pharmacist will explain all of that prior to your vaccination and answer your questions and concerns if you are concerned or unsure it is safe for you.”