LAKELAND - Pharmacies across the Lakeland have been prepping to receive shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine this month, with some already administering hundreds of doses, and others waiting on their first shipments.
Asad Kashani is the pharmacist owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in St. Paul. He confirmed the pharmacy was on the list to get the Moderna vaccine, and they were "just waiting for it to come."
He noted that the pharmacy had been busy taking bookings, and was booked into mid-April already. Locals can call the business directly to speak to someone about booking a spot to get their first dose of the vaccine.
Kashani said the pharmacy - like all pharmacies - have to follow the roll-out phases put in place by the Government of Alberta. Those parameters will expand as the province moves along in the roll-out.
Appointments are booked based on how many vaccines are received at the pharmacy, with shipments expected to arrive weekly, although everything is subject to change, said Kashani.
When asked if they had received any calls from outside the area with people trying to book spots who weren't local to the region, he said yes - but mostly, calls are coming from people who are from the Lakeland.
As far as how things will continue to roll-out, Kashani said pharmacists are also in the dark about future plans, and sometimes even the availability of the vaccine itself. For example, he was recently notified that no pharmacies will get vaccines the week of March 29, which means the appointments that were in place for that week will have to be rebooked.
Mike Senger, associate director of consumer operations with Cornerstone Co-op, confirmed last week that the St. Paul Co-op pharmacy was also on the list to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Co-op operates a pharmacy in Vermilion too, but that location was not on the list.
On Wednesday, Senger said the Co-op had not yet received any vaccines, and was still waiting on distribution.
The pharmacy was taking down names and numbers of people and placing them on a list. He said appointments would be set up once the vaccines were received.
"The list is growing like crazy," he said.
Senger echoed Kashani's comments, saying things are constantly changing, which is why the Co-op has decided to only book appointments once the vaccine is in hand. He was anticipating the pharmacy would be booking appointments this week.
“We’re cautious," he said, adding, he didn't want to put a number on the amount of vaccines that would be received locally, since that too could change at a moment's notice.
Senger said it has been good to see the interest and eagerness in people who want to get the vaccine.
“The phones blew up on Monday morning at our pharmacy," he said, referring to when Cornerstone Co-op was added to the list of pharmacies receiving the vaccine. Now, the biggest message he would like to get out to residents is simple - be patient.
“You will be included eventually. You’ll get your spot.”
And, if residents do have any COVID-19 related questions, it’s still best to call 811 Health Link.
“We’re excited to be part of the roll-out,” said Senger, adding, the pharmacy will be sure to follow all Alberta Health Services guidelines that have been set out.
Bonnyville pharmacy has long wait list
Pharmasave Davey Drug Mart in Bonnyville received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on March 17.
According to pharmacist Carter Wagner, they have administered around 300 vaccines and are making a dent in the waiting list that climbed to 900 people at one point.
"We initially had appointments scheduled but, with the delay that happened in order for us to get the vaccine, we had to revamp all of that," he said, adding they've decided to only book appointments when they receive shipments.
"Just based on the spotty receiving of the vaccine, we're made plans such that we will only book appointments when we have the stock, so we don't have to revert scheduling and what not. When we have more, we'll book more appointments."
Wagner sees the long waiting list as a good sign that there's buy-in from the community.
"They're very interested in receiving the vaccine. That's the overall sentiment that we get is that they're very happy that this is happening and they're some of the first people to get it in town."
Although the pharmacy has been told when to expect their next shipment, whether or not it will actually get delivered on time is unknown. Wagner said staff will be making "several hundred phone calls" when they do receive it, to book appointments.
Province-wide initiative
According to a March 18 provincial media release, there are now 259 pharmacies in 107 communities offering the vaccine, which is a 154 per cent increase in participating pharmacies since March 1.
The number is expected to continue to increase as more vaccine doses arrive, likely reaching about 500 pharmacies by early April.
"Alberta remains reliant on the federal government and the timing of shipments coming into the province for all bookings," reads the information from the Government of Alberta, which also confirmed recent delays in Moderna shipments that may impact some pharmacy appointments scheduled for the week of March 22.
“Pharmacies are playing a critical role in offering every Albertan who wants a vaccine the chance to get one by the end of June. We know the demand is there, and look forward to bringing hundreds of more pharmacies online to administer vaccine in the coming weeks as more vaccines arrive in our province," said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health.
