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Supply isn’t meeting demand for many pharmacies in the province when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines.
Many pharmacies are running out of vaccines before they get their next shipment, according to Michael Fougere, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan.
“Limited supply means there will be some shortages,” said Fougere.
The federal government orders the vaccines and then distributes them to the provinces and territories based on what the provinces request. Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health said it made its request based on the demand from the year before. The province then doles out the vaccines to those administering them.
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“So the province is allocating what is received from the federal government in a way that ensures that pharmacies will have vaccines, as well as other doctors and hospitals will be administering the vaccine as well, so they’re trying to distribute it as they can,” explained Fougere.
Health Canada said 19 million vaccine doses have been secured for the country this season, and more than eight million doses have been distributed thus far.
According to Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health, there’s been a higher initial demand in pharmacies this year than last year. Its statement said more COVID-19 vaccines have been ordered and are expected to arrive at pharmacies in the next several weeks.
If shots aren’t available at a pharmacy, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health said they’re also available through clinics run by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Editor’s note: this story has been updated to clarify how vaccines are ordered between the federal and provincial governments
