Some twenty-somethings in the Sackville area will be getting their COVID-19 vaccinations this week, even before the province opens up eligibility to the 20 and older cohort. Those who registered in advance on the Corner Drug Store website may get a text or call to offer them an appointment Tuesday or Wednesday.
“We have open appointments in the next two days that have yet been not been filled by folks 30 and over,” says pharmacist Charles Beaver. “So we have gone to the waiting list that’s been accumulating on our registration form at our website.”
The Corner Drug Store has 420 doses of Pfizer vaccine to be administered this week, says Beaver. And to avoid waste, pharmacies are directed to book the next age cohort if they still have openings available.
“Basically, the only unbreakable rule is never waste vaccine,” says Beaver.
The registration system at the Corner Drug Store works slightly differently than the clinics run through Horizon and Vitalité. Instead of waiting for their cohort to be called up, people of any age can register on the Corner Drug Store website, and the pharmacy will call, email or text them for an appointment when they are eligible. And the earlier they register, the earlier they may get contacted.
“It’s first come, first served,” say Beaver. Today, people 20 and up who registered back in March got a text or email first. But because the priority must still go to those 30 and older, Beaver can’t promise all twenty-somethings will be able to get an appointment. Though for thirty-somethings in the area, there’s a very good change.
There’s plenty of appointments left on Thursday and Friday this week, he says. “If somebody over 30 put their name on the waitlist today, they would receive a link probably before the end of the day today or tomorrow morning,” says Beaver.
Beaver encourages people to register in advance, even for kids as young as 12 years old. That way, he says, “when we have unique circumstances like more availability than people, then we can very quickly reach those folks.”
As always, the Corner Drug Store is asking people not to call, but to register online and then wait for an email, text, or call. Though Beaver hired extra staff to help administer vaccines, the pharmacy cannot handle heavy calls volumes related to phone bookings.
GENERAL VACCINE ELIGIBILITY AS OF MAY 13, 2021
The following groups are eligible to be vaccinated at a pharmacy:
- Those age 30 and older (those who will turn 30 this year are included).
- Cross-border commuters, including truck drivers who can call a specialized line (1-833-724-0088).
- Those 55+ are no longer eligible to get a voluntary first dose of AstraZeneca* (second doses of AZ will be permitted).
The Corner Drug Store has requested that appointments be made online only. Do not call to make an appointment.
The following groups are eligible to be vaccinated at a Horizon Health or Vitalité Clinic:
- Children between the ages of 12 and 15 who have a complex medical condition or two or more chronic conditions (Pfizer will be administered, and a parent/guardian must book and sign consent for children under 16).
- First Nations people 12 and older (those 12 to 15 can only receive Pfizer with parental/guardian consent).
- Those age 30 and older (those who will turn 30 this year are included).
- Cross-border commuters, including truck drivers who can call a specialized line (1-833-724-0088).
- Anyone 16 and older with two or more chronic conditions.
- Pregnant people.
- Health care workers, first responders, specified staff of communal settings.
- People with complex medical conditions.
An appointment at a clinic can be made online or by calling 1-833-437-1424.
*Homebound extramural patients who understand all risks and provide consent are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose. Those patients should reach out to their primary care provider.
Do not call and make an appointment unless you are in the current identified priority group or are calling on someone’s behalf, you won’t be able to get the vaccine. If you have any questions about the vaccine, or when you might expect to be vaccinated, visit chmafm.com or gnb.ca.
