COVID-19: Meet a N.B. pharmacist and how he’s taking on vaccine hesitancy

One New Brunswick pharmacist is taking time to help people who are vaccine hesitant to get the shot amid the Omicron wave and government pleas for people to get booster doses.

Greg MacFarlane is doing more than filling prescriptions these days.

A pharmacist in New Brunswick, he has taken charge, talking to vaccine-hesitant patients and trying to show them it’s safe and the best defence against COVID-19.

MacFarlane said while he hasn’t kept exact track of the number of patients he has spoken with, it’s in the thousands.

“Most days we have those scenarios presented to us, so one day isn’t much different than the rest. We’re all working to get us across the line with the vaccine,” he said in an interview Tuesday.

Pharmacists are in a unique position to help people understand the science behind the vaccine, and how it may benefit them in the long run, because of their connection to the patients, he said.

In many cases, MacFarlane said he tries to draw a connection for people who may have an elderly loved one, someone they live with who has an underlying condition, or a loved one in long-term care. He said it’s about understanding how getting the vaccine helps other people.

“So, again, pharmacists are in a good position to take the opportunity when the chance arises,” he said.

MacFarlane also uses social media to engage with people who have questions.