Rowlands Pharmacy has joined the Covid vaccination programme after one of its branches in north Wales started administering vaccines.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is being delivered at Rowlands Prestatyn which was chosen by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to join the nationwide roll-out.

James Davies, a GP and MP for Vale of Clwyd who visited the branch, said it will “help protect and save the lives of people.”

“The operation and set-up at the Rowlands Pharmacy here on Prestatyn High Street is commendable and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the pharmacy team for making it happen,” he said.

Rowlands Pharmacy managing director Mark Bather said: “We are delighted that our branch in Prestatyn has been selected as a Covid-19 vaccine site and working collobratively with Local Health Boards, we hope this marks the start of many more branches to come.

“We have pharmacies across England, Wales and Scotland ready, willing and able to deliver vaccinations. Our dedicated pharmacy teams look forward to joining the collective fight to beat Coronovirus as soon as they possibly can.”

Numark managing director Jeremy Meader, meanwhile, called for more community pharmacies to join the vaccination programme “as soon as possible.”

“Community pharmacies are a convenient and trusted first port of call for vaccinations. Collectively, they can help administer thousands of vaccines at a local level,” he said.

“A vital third pillar of the NHS, community pharmacy is ideally placed to help alleviate the pressures on local hospitals, vaccination sites and GPs currently delivering the vaccine.

“The scale and speed of the UK mass vaccination programme so far is commendable, but we welcome the opportunity for more community pharmacies to play their role in this collective fight against Coronavirus, as soon as possible.”