Pharmacists in Calgary are reporting an increase in demand for private COVID-19 vaccines, leading to the establishment of waitlists due to limited stock availability. Frustrated Albertans are seeking out pharmacies for vaccinations as challenges persist in booking appointments through the public system, which has been criticized for its complexity.
While the government-run program offers COVID shots exclusively at public health clinics, with certain high-risk groups eligible for free vaccinations, the majority of individuals are required to pay $100 for the vaccine. Private supplies are also accessible through pharmacies, but Pfizer Canada, the supplier of this private stock, has imposed temporary order limits due to unexpected high demand.
Jason Chan Remillard, a pharmacist in northwest Calgary, expressed concern over the sudden unavailability of vaccine doses for ordering, despite previously having limited supplies. Many individuals visiting his pharmacy have encountered difficulties with the province’s online booking system for public health clinics, leading them to opt for private vaccinations at a higher cost.
Another pharmacist, Randy Howden, has decided to waive the $20 administration fee at his Medicine Shoppe locations in Calgary, attributing the move to the confusion and frustration experienced by many Albertans in accessing the vaccine. Both pharmacists have waitlists in place and are facing uncertainties regarding future appointments due to recent stock shortages.
Pfizer Canada acknowledged the surging demand for its Comirnaty vaccine in the private market, resulting in temporary allocation measures to ensure equitable distribution. The company anticipates a swift return to normal ordering as additional inventory is expected to arrive soon. McKesson Canada, a vaccine distributor, cited manufacturer supply backlog as a primary reason for the current supply challenges.
Despite the supply issues, the Alberta government defended its vaccination rollout, emphasizing the separation between privately procured vaccines and the government-run program. More than 142,000 COVID doses have been administered through the provincial program, with the ministry asserting that there is no shortage of vaccines for the immunization initiative. The ministry continues to monitor the situation closely and maintains its commitment to providing vaccines through public health sites to support effective inventory management.
In light of the ongoing challenges, Howden suggested that allowing pharmacies to administer vaccines through the public program could have been a more efficient and cost-effective approach, especially considering the individual dosing of this year’s vaccine. He believes such an initiative could have minimized vaccine wastage and enhanced accessibility for the population.