COVID vaccines start to roll out at some Saskatchewan pharmacies

It’s another big step in the fight against COVID-19: Some Saskatchewan pharmacies started giving out vaccines Thursday.

As of Friday, anyone 40 or older is eligible to book their shot at any of the pharmacies that are participating in the pilot project.

The Medicine Shoppe on Quance Street in Regina is one of the locations where people have started rolling up their sleeves.

Allana Reaume, a pharmacist and owner of the store, was busy but excited to play a part in the vaccine rollout.

“We’re honoured to be able to help and do it quickly and roll it out smoothly. It’s going to be great to have everyone vaccinated and back to normal life sooner,” she said.

She believes pharmacies are uniquely equipped to roll out shots, since they’re already quite experienced in the field.

“We’ve done flu shots for years and so we do have the experience to do injections,” she explained. “This one’s a little bit different, a smaller volume, but otherwise the same process …

“There’s a lot more paperwork … (and) more time invested with doing the behind-the-scenes work than the flu shot, but we’re happy to accomplish that to get people healthier and safer.”

She pointed to the pharmacy’s online booking system as an easy way to claim a place in line.

Gisele McWatt was the second person to get a shot at The Medicine Shoppe on opening day. It came as a pleasant surprise to her.

“I didn’t even know that this pharmacy was even doing COVID appointments until I had called earlier in the week to get a prescription filled. Then I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I should ask.’ So I did over the phone and they’re like, ‘We are,’ and I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ and I was so excited,” she said with a laugh.

As of right now, pharmacies are using the Pfizer vaccine. Those doses, which need to be stored long term at extremely cold temperatures, are thawed out before arriving at the pharmacy. The doses last about four days in the fridge.

Reaume said those doses will likely get used up quickly.

“We have a lot of interest,” she said. “We have a very long waiting list. People are looking forward to getting their vaccines.”