Alberta’s next step in the COVID-19 vaccination program began March 15, 2021 with phase 2A of the rollout.
Currently Alberta has 259 pharmacies in 107 different communities administering the vaccine. Premier Jason Kenney has promised to double the amount of pharmacies administering the vaccine by early April.
“Pharmacies are playing a critical role in offering every Albertan who wants a vaccine the chance to get one by the end of June,” said Alberta Minister of Health Tyler Shandro March 18.
“We know the demand is there, and look forward to bringing hundreds of more pharmacies online to administer the vaccine in the coming weeks as more vaccines arrive in our province.”
Currently Wetaskiwin County has three pharmacy locations approved by the provincial government that have begun vaccine distribution. One of these pharmacies, Leibel’s Pharmacy, located at the Village at Pigeon Lake, says that they have kept consistently busy this past week and had a steady demand for appointments.
On March 15, they were one of approved pharmacy locations to begin their part in the rollout, and Leibel Pharmacy’s owners say that on Saturday March 13 they had over 200 phone calls from locals currently eligible for the vaccine trying to book their appointments.
“The phone was ringing off the hook,” said Leibel Pharmacy co-owner Brenda Leibel.
Leibel said that in the pharmacy’s first shipment from the government they received 400 doses of the Moderna vaccine and have been notified of an additional 200 vaccines coming soon.
Leibel said that it didn’t take long for the vaccination spots to fill up.
“We are booked until the end of March for appointments.”
Co-owner and pharmacist Tyler Leibel said that the pharmacy has been administering an average of 30 vaccines a day. He also said that he has heard plenty of positive responses from locals who are happy that they can get their vaccination so close to home rather than having to travel to a major city.
If you are eligible for Phase 2A of the vaccine rollout, 65-years-old or older, you can call Leibel’s pharmacy to book your appointment. Phase 2A includes Albertans born 1947-1956 (65 to 74-years-old) no matter where you live, First Nations, Métis and Inuit people born 1971 or earlier no matter where you live and staff and residents of licensed seniors supportive living facilities not included in Phase 1.
The two Wetaskiwin pharmacy locations administering the vaccine are the Shoppers Drug Mart at 5215 50 Ave and the Safeway Pharmacy 3901 56 St.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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