Boots Apotek in Norway - February 2, 2022

In Norway the state has given the municipalities the responsibility for covid-19 vaccination of the population. Local municipalities have had the opportunity to collaborate with community pharmacies on the administration of these vaccines since it began in the winter of 2021.

Boots apotek in Norway is proud to have 35 of its pharmacies across 21 different municipalities - one of which is Norway's second largest city, Bergen - actively collaborating with local municipalities and to date has administer more than 6000 covid-19 vaccinations.

As such pharmacies have ceased this excellent opportunity to establish the role of pharmacy and cement its place in the Norwegian health service.  Covid-19 vaccinations have given our pharmacies an excellent chance to prove our place in Norwegian health service.

"We have been given a chance to show how we can adjust quickly and efficiently, get necessary training in place and deliver a high quality service in no time, based on our existing competence", said Chief Pharmacist for Boots apotek, Nina Glende. "Reports from customers have been very positive. Customers with anxiety for syringes and social anxiety have found vaccination in pharmacies a better and more reassuring alternative to the municipality vaccination centres."

"Availability, flexibility and appointment options for vaccinations in the evening and Saturdays is important to our customers, and in general we’ve seen that we’ve reached the younger adults with vaccinations in pharmacy. We’ve also administered several first and second doses, as well as the third dose, a sign that we may have reached additional target groups" Nina Glende explains.

"Covid-19 vaccination has created engagement among employees too, and they swiftly adjusted and got up to speed in a matter of days after government communication encouraging municipality collaboration with pharmacies. The pharmacy sector in Norway has collaborated on making training and national standards for Covid-19 vaccination."

"There’s no exaggeration to say that Covid-19 vaccinations have demonstrated the pharmacy sector’s competence much more clearly through the media and been recognised more by the public than it has been for a very long time. I personally think the COvid-19 vaccination programme can contribute to increased awareness for the possibilities that pharmacy can offer for the future."