Some pharmacies in Lethbridge are experiencing supply and delivery issues with the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been available in Alberta since Oct. 19. The first week was slow, but now interest in getting vaccinated is starting to pick up, and it’s leading to some challenges. Some supply companies only accept orders once per week. At others, you can order daily, so depending on what system you follow, there is some guesswork involved. An edict from the province has also prompted concern about what might happen next year if pharmacies over-order the COVID vaccine this year. “Let’s say you order 300 shots this year; if you don’t use them all, then you don’t get any next year, so that’s put the fear of god into everybody, and that leads to another problem that we may be turning people away,” said Brad Pierson, pharmacist at Gail’s Apothecary. This year, the COVID vaccine is available in single-dose vials, which pharmacies say means less waste. They do say when it comes to the flu vaccine, things are proceeding smoothly—there are no supply or delivery issues.
