With the closure of public health clinics, roughly 188 New Brunswick pharmacies are picking up the slack and playing a big role in administering COVID-19 vaccines.
This comes as provincial officials expand the eligibility for second booster shots to individuals aged 18 and older.
Jake Reid, executive director of the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association, said at the beginning of the vaccine rollout, public health held mass clinics, and pharmacies were doing the other half.
But with government clinics now closed, most vaccinations will take place in pharmacies.
“At the peak, there were about 200 pharmacies that participated [in the vaccination campaign] and we’re down a little bit from that now,” said Reid in a phone interview.
“I counted the other day and there were 188 that are participating and providing vaccinations.”
Reid said not every pharmacy can offer the jab for several reasons, such as some pharmacists not being trained to administer vaccines or pharmacy location. Still, he said at least one will offer doses in every community across the province.
Reid said residents should wait five months from their last vaccine to get a booster — unless they have contracted COVID-19.
“If a person has tested positive for COVID — regardless of how long it’s been since their last shot — they should wait five months since after they’ve had COVID,” he said.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, said indicators suggest that New Brunswick is at the start of another wave, driven by Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.
Along with other public health rules, like hand-washing, wearing a mask and physically distancing, Russell said vaccination is the best defence against severe outcomes and provides an extra layer of protection.
“We’re urging everyone to take a look at their own vaccination schedule and see if they’re due for a shot and to get up to date because it’s a way that we can protect ourselves,” said Reid.
“We’re not used to being sick during the summer. Usually, we’re outside and breathing the fresh air, but this summer, COVID is going around as well as other respiratory illnesses.”
Reid suggests booking vaccinations through a pharmacy ahead of time rather than walking in so pharmacists can manage their time and ensure vaccinations are done swiftly.
But it all depends on a pharmacy’s capacity, so he encourages New Brunswickers to be patient.
“There will be an appointment available for you, even if it’s not immediate,” said Reid.
“We can get lots of Inventory of the COVID vaccinations into the province, so there are no issues with that right now. Even if pharmacies don’t have it on hand that day, there’ll be getting some and you will be able to [book] those appointments.”
