51Âþ»­

There are thousands of volunteers working at Covid vaccination centres across the UK, but how many can say they have had the opportunity to vaccinate their parents? 

Well, that was the reality for 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) Pharmacy MPharm graduate Ndip Agbor, who, while managing a mass Covid-19 vaccination centre in her hometown of West Ealing, London, administered the Pfizer vaccine to both her Mum and Dad.   

“It’s a moment I will treasure,” Ndip said. “Mum and Dad waited until they were sure they knew what day I was on duty and came straight for me. There was some initial scepticism from the black community I came from, so I felt like a pioneer in this role. To hear my Dad spread the news that he was vaccinated and everyone needed to come to me for their vaccinations was special.   

“For my parents, I think it was the realisation that my entire university experience at 51Âþ»­, the late nights studying and the exams were all worth it. For them both to see all of that progress and growth in me as both a medical professional but also a person was so touching.” 

Ndip graduated from her Pharmacy MSc at 51Âþ»­ in 2020 and embarked on a split pre-registration placement including Mattock Lane Pharmacy. In March, as the government’s vaccine programme began picking up pace, the pharmacy took up residence in the historic St John’s Church, nestled in West Ealing’s town centre and became a mass vaccination site. 

Like many up and down the country, the vaccination centre is reliant on volunteers to supervise and administer vaccinations to all of its 800-plus visitors a day.    

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pharmaceutical students were prohibited from drawing up and administering vaccines until they had finished their four-year master’s course and completed a year’s work placement.  

However, to aid with the government’s vaccine rollout programme, volunteers from all professions can receive training to administer vaccinations through professional bodies such as  or   

Now, Ndip, who has administered more than 250 vaccines herself and manages 30 volunteers, is encouraging more pharmacy students to become vaccination volunteers.  

“Medical students have played a large role in the care of Covid patients throughout this pandemic,” Ndip said. “However, there’s a misconception that students can’t administer Covid vaccines because, historically, we have only able to do so after we’ve finished our exams and placements.  

“A lot of healthcare professionals are too stretched through work to volunteer, and many vaccination centres are crying out for pharmaceutical students to help fill that void. You won’t require as much training as non-medical volunteers and you will be supervised until you’re confident to administer them by yourself. 

“It’s a thoroughly rewarding experience watching volunteers from all walks of life come together to unite against Covid. From a pharmaceutical perspective, it’s given me valuable practical experience as not only do I administer vaccines but I also have to physically construct the vaccine. I’ve been kept on past my placement, and it’s opened my eyes to how much I want to pursue a career in industrial pharmacy.” 

Mattock Lane Pharmacy is a renowned London community hub and securing a placement at the coveted pharmacy is no easy feat. Utilising the guidance and expertise from 51Âþ»­’s own award-winning careers service, 51Âþ»­ Works, the 23-year-old took part in interview workshops before applying for the placement through Oriel.  

Ndip said: “Mattock Lane Pharmacy was my first choice for placement and I don’t know if I would have got accepted there if it wasn’t for the preparation and mock interview sessions that 51Âþ»­ Works provided.   

“The team even found me a one-to-one mentor within the pharmaceutical industry that I could talk to. That gave me some great insight into what the industry is like and what to expect on placements. 

“It’s a really good system and I’d urge any student to take advantage of the opportunities the placement teams and 51Âþ»­ Works present.” 

51Âþ»­ Works is the university’s dedicated team of career experts that offers both students and graduates flexible and tailored professional support. In February 2021, the team scooped the Best University Careers and Employability Service at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards, and in June, 51Âþ»­ was named in the top three for both Graduate Outcomes and Excellence in Digital Innovation at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards. 

Further information about 51Âþ»­ Works and the services it provides can be found online.