Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

COVID-19

Not enough people calling to receive AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: Kamloops pharmacist

Apr 19, 2021 | 12:50 PM

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops pharmacist says a flood of people coming in to receive COVID-19 vaccinations last week has slowed to a trickle Monday (Apr. 19).

Manshadi Pharmacy on Tranquille Road is one of 13 pharmacies in Kamloops offering the AstraZeneca vaccine doses to people born in 1966 and earlier.

“Last week was wonderful. We have nine telephone (lines) here and all the lines were busy at once,” Missagh Manshadi told CFJC Today. “We got most people registered last week and it was full.

“This week, we don’t have the same level of intensity. We [aren’t] seeing people coming in and getting their shots. That is the reason we want to let the public know the shots are available and they need to get vaccinated.”

Manshadi believes people may be reluctant to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine due to safety questions recently investigated by Health Canada. Last week, Health Canada reiterated that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective. Alberta and Ontario recently lowered the age in which people are eligible to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine to 40 and older.

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Manshadi says supply is not an issue.

“We have lots of shots; we probably have 200 shots right now and it’s not going to go to waste,” he said. “The concern is, we are not getting enough phonecalls to get people vaccinated.”

A full list of B.C. pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccine doses is available here. Alternately, B.C.’s community vaccine rollout is now open for any adult to register for an appointment.

“The best way to get the shot is reach out wherever they can — through the health unit, online, through pharamacy… wherever they can, they need to get vaccinated,” said Manshadi.