High demand for private COVID-19 shots sparks supply problems, waitlists for Alberta pharmacies
CBC
Some Calgary pharmacists say they've started waitlists for private COVID-19 vaccines because they can't get their hands on stock as frustrated Albertans turn to them for the shots.
The provincial government is facing ongoing pushback for charging most Albertans for the vaccine and many people have struggled to book through the public system, which has been described as confusing and complicated.
The government-run program is only offering COVID shots at public health clinics. Some high-risk groups are eligible to get the shot for free, while the vast majority of people must pay $100.
Private supplies are also available through pharmacies. And Pfizer Canada, the company supplying that private stock, said it has placed temporary limits on orders due to higher than expected demand.
"It just all seemed to dry up,” said Jason Chan Remillard, pharmacist and owner of the Pharmasave in the northwest Calgary community of Brentwood.
He noticed last week he was no longer able to order COVID vaccine doses after only being able access limited supplies for a number of weeks.
“We've got people on lists waiting for shots. We've got names on shots. We've got names on pieces of paper. It's just crazy," he said.
According to Chan Remillard, many of the people coming into his pharmacy have had trouble booking through the province’s online booking system for public health clinics. And he said others are being offered appointments a month or more away, well into the respiratory virus season.
“[Some] are tired of trying to navigate the system and figure out how to get one through the public system. A lot of people say they’d rather give me $135 rather than give the government $100."
“We've just been receiving calls all day and trying to field these calls and make people understand ... we just can't seem to obtain the vaccine right now.”
When he has been able to order stock he’s been offering the vaccine at cost and waiving the administration fee.
"This is kind of a public service that I feel we're doing,” he said.
Randy Howden is also opting to forgo charging the $20 administration fee at his Medicine Shoppe pharmacies, including the Crowfoot location in Calgary.
"This year has been very confusing and frustrating," said Howden.
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