Pharmacies in Greater Manchester begin administering COVID-19 vaccine
Six pharmacies in Greater Manchester have begun administering the COVID-19 vaccine from today as the region continues to ramp up its inoculation programme.
Six pharmacies in Greater Manchester have begun administering the COVID-19 vaccinefrom todayas the region continues to ramp up its inoculation programme.
The rollout of the jab to local pharmacies is intended to help Manchester achieve its aim of delivering 70,000 vaccines by mid-February and 214,000 vaccines by mid-April.
This will see many of the most vulnerable residents n the area given their first dose.
According to Manchester City Council, over 25,000 local residents have already received the jab.
Greater Manchester pharmacies beginning to offer vaccinations from this week include:
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Everest Pharmacy, Whalley Range
Whalley Range Cricket and Tennis Club, Whalley Range (operated by Wilbraham Pharmacy)
MMC College, Cheetham Hill (operated by Wellfield Pharmacy)
Superdrug, Piccadilly
The Larkhill Centre, Altrincham (operated by Timperley Pharmacy)
Hollowood Chemist Wigan
A pharmacist in Greater Manchester was able to give his dad, who has been shielding for most of the last year, the Covid-19 vaccine this morning.
The new pharmacy-run sites join a growing number of vaccine hubs in the region, including:
Manchester Tennis Centre, Etihad Campus
Chancellors Hotel, Fallowfield
Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham
Newton Heath Health Centre
Plant Hill Clinic, Blackley
The Grange Community Resource Centre, Beswick
The Jain Community Centre, Longsight
The Vallance Centre, Brunswick
Woodhouse Park Active Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
Jane Pilkington, director for population health, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said that the new pharmacy-led vaccine sites will play a “key part” in ramping up delivery.
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The new pharmacy operated sites will initially be vaccinating people aged 75 and over, along with frontline health and social care workers.
Over sixty-five new vaccination centres have now opened in England in total.
By the end of Tuesday, it was reported that over 4.61 million people in the UK had received their initial jab.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed that the country is giving 200 vaccinations per minute on average.
News
Award-winning Manchester restaurant Another Hand announces closure with ‘immediate effect’
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most popular intimate restaurants has sadly announced that it’ll be closing its doors with ‘immediate effect’.
Another Hand – which can be found tucked away up on Deansgate Mews – opened back in 2022 to acclaim from critics and customers, as well as scooping up several awards along the way like Best Newcomer at the 2022 Manchester Food and Drink Awards, and places in the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide along the way.
Not only that, but the 24-seater intimate casual dining restaurant was also named as one of the best restaurants in Manchester merely three weeks ago by respected publication, Time Out.
Launched by the team behind 3 Hands Deli – which operated from a site two units down – Another Hand was known and loved for focusing on sharing plates made with produce from local ethical growers.
And it seemed to be going from strength to strength, but sadly, the restaurant took to social media yesterday to announce its decision to close ‘with immediate effect’.
Another Hand said in its statement on Instagram: “With heavy hearts we are sad to announce that after five years Another Hand will be closing its doors with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately, as most of us know, the current economic climate for the hospitality sector is facing steep challenges, sadly a familiar story. And after five years of operating within this increasingly challenging environment, we feel it’s time for us to step away.
“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it feels like the right time to bring this chapter to an end.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here. From the people who have worked alongside us, to the producers and suppliers who have supported us; and most importantly, everyone who has come through the door and eaten with us…. thank you.
How will the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales work?
Emily Sergeant
All licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone – helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you’re buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you’ve left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that ‘it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]’ and that physical ID will ‘still remain a valid way’ for customers to prove their age.
“This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out,” she concluded.
The Manc -
21st January 2021 
