RPS England urges government to review decision on Covid-19 vaccine indemnity

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England has raised concern over the government's decision to discontinue state-backed indemnity for community pharmacists delivering Covid-19 vaccinations in England.

It has urged the government to review its decision so that the pharmacists can continue to support phase 3 of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. 

RPS England Chair Thorrun Govind in a letter to Nadhim Zahawi MP, minister for Covid vaccine deployment, has expressed concern that community pharmacists who are working in the national interest to support Phase 3 of the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be required to pay for indemnity insurance themselves from 31 August, which had previously been covered by a state-backed scheme.

RPS England Chair Thorrun Govind said: “Pharmacists across the country have been integral to making the Covid-19 vaccination programme a success, and have helped build the foundation for the country to return to a sense of freedom.

“Just as the government is looking to widen uptake of vaccinations, expecting community pharmacists to now start paying for indemnity insurance out of their own pocket is an extraordinary position.

“While some NHS workers have been offered a pay rise, the government is quietly expecting community pharmacists to pay more.

“The government must urgently review this injustice so that all pharmacists can help deliver this national ambition on Covid-19 vaccinations.”