Supply not an issue for pharmacies giving fourth COVID-19 shots

If you’re eligible to get your fourth COVID-19 shot, a pharmacy should be able to get you in quickly.

Michael Fougere, the CEO of the Saskatchewan Pharmacy Association, said people shouldn’t face any hurdles when trying to book an appointment.

“Stock is fine. It’s getting appointments and knowing you can go to your pharmacist which is the main place you get the vaccines today,” Fougere said during an appearance on the Greg Morgan Morning Show.

“From what I’m hearing, it’s anecdotal right here and right now, (but) there has been no issue at all. People who are phoning in to get those appointments or walking in can get those done no issue at all.”

As of last Saturday, only 48.4 per cent of Saskatchewan residents aged 12 and up had received at least one booster.

Second boosters are now available to everyone 50 and over in the province, as well as residents of First Nations communities, immunocompromised individuals and residents of care homes. For most, second booster shots are available four months after the individual got their first booster.

Fougere said there are 1,252 pharmacists across the province who can administer the vaccine.

“Our pharmacies are working hard every day to make sure that we have access to these vaccines to keep people safe and healthy,” Fougere said.

Fougere said like many other health-care workers in the province, pharmacists have been feeling the effects of the extra hours put in during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They faced the same pressures and concerns as every other health-care profession,” he said. “They are burnt out and they are tired.

“Not saying it’s an excuse, but the hours have been very long and a lot of pharmacies were available 24 hours a day, seven days a week when you couldn’t get to another health-care professional. They put in a lot of hours and they are tired but they want to make sure people are safe and healthy.”

Only the Pfizer vaccine is available through the pharmacies.