Covid-19: Vaccination Available at Pharmacies

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

The Ministry of Health (mainland Portugal) has decided to include the Covid-19 booster vaccination in the new flu vaccination season, which should begin in the second half of September.

This measure is part of an initiative where pharmacies have to assist health systems, particularly the National Health Service.

To ensure “the success and maximum quality” of the entire process, pharmacists with pharmaceutical competence in the administration of vaccines and injectable drugs will be notified during the first half of September to attend a Covid-19 course in preparation for the new flu season.

The article did not cite whether Madeira was included in this, however, with August Covid-19 figures showing a sharp increase the mandate should roll out to all eligible pharmacies and pharmacists.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com

In this sense, the OF has compiled a set of “Questions and Answers” to support pharmacists, encompassing issues related to training for vaccine administration, the logistical process of vaccination and eligibility criteria of the population to be inoculated in community pharmacies.

For Helder Mota Filipe, integrating pharmacists in vaccination against covid-19 “is a good measure of the Government” and meets a proposal that the Order of Nurses had already been making.

Community pharmacies that have a vaccine administration service, professionals with specific training for vaccine administration and that express availability to participate in the campaign may participate in the seasonal vaccination campaign, according to an ordinance published on August 17 in the Official Gazette.

These pharmacies will be able to practice a longer schedule, and the list of adherents is available on the websites of the National Health Service, the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) and Infarmed.

According to the ordinance, it will now be up to the DGS to issue the technical guidelines that govern the vaccination process, namely with the definition of vaccination criteria and eligible users.

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a type of virus detected in late 2019 in China and that has spread rapidly around the world, taking on several variants and subvariants, some more contagious than others.

The disease was classified as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and in May 2023 it ceased to be an international public health emergency.