A PHARMACY in Parkstone will be offering Covid-19 vaccines to the community after being chosen by NHS England.

Bryant Pharmacy on Ashley Road, Poole will be offering the vaccines from Thursday, February 4 with timings to be confirmed soon.

Staff at the pharmacy were told they could offer vaccinations on Thursday, January 21 and have been preparing for February 4 since then.

Superintendent pharmacist Araz Shalli said: "We’re honoured that NHS England has chosen us as one of the first few pharmacies to deliver the service.

"We wanted to do this so we could make the vaccines more accessible for the elderly who do not necessarily have to take a bus or taxi to get vaccinated.

"Lots of our patients haven’t been seen for nearly a year and some have been shielding, so if they don’t want to go to a big vaccination centre, this is a small and quiet place with less people for them to visit.

"It’s been hard work altering the pharmacy and getting more staff in, but it’s worth it to help the community."

The pharmacy has been inundated with people volunteering to help with the vaccination programme.

Superintendent Araz Shalli said: "We’ve had so many volunteers come forward already and we would like to thank all the volunteers who have done so.

"We feel privileged that we’re able to deliver this service, albeit a very gruelling service, but the important thing is that we’re able to help as many people as we can."

The pharmacy has requested that people do not phone them for information as they will be contacted in due course by NHS England.