Hartlepool MP signs 'important' petition for our Shot In The Arm Covid jabs campaign

Mike Hill signed the online petition as part of our Shot In The Arm initiative which is calling on the Government to make use of the thousands of trusted pharmacies across the country to help speed up the nationwide vaccination programme.

The petition at change.org has so far been signed by over 3,000 people including Labour party leader Sir Kier Starmer.

The campaign was launched this week by the Hartlepool Mail and all of our JPI Media sister titles.

We are also urging Boris Johnson to ensure that everyone has access to a vaccine centre within ten minutes compared to the Government’s pledge of 10 miles.

After putting his name to the petition on Thursday, Mr Hill said: “I’m more than happy to sign this important petition.

"It’s critical that the people have access to local services which is why it’s important to emphasise that local pharmacies are more often than not the nearest port of call for people.

"It’s only right that they are allowed to step up to the plate and provide a service to communities which in many cases are right on their doorstep.

"Why should people have to go miles to get vaccinated when they should be able to do so at their nearest pharmacy?”

Adding his support Sir Keir said the Government needs to ‘match the nation’s ambition’ on vaccines adding: “Every high street has a pharmacy and I want to see every possible pharmacy deployed to help.

"Across those communities, pharmacists stand ready to play their part too. Let’s use them, and let’s vaccinate Britain.”

Earlier this week, South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck raised our campaign in the House of Commons with Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim Zahawi.

Mr Zahawi said 200 community and independent pharmacies as part of the vaccination programme in phase one.

But only pharmacies that can do 1,000 vaccinations a week are included, something independent Hartlepool pharmacist Qammar Nazir has said ought to be changed.

Readers can sign the petition at change.org

Related story: Independent pharmacy chief says they can be answer to faster rollout

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