Sackville’s pharmacies will have administered nearly 1500 COVID-19 vaccines by the end of day Friday, since first receiving delivery of doses on March 23, 2021.
And next week, both Jean Coutu and Corner Drug are slated to continue vaccinations, with 90 and 190 doses at each, respectively. Corner Drug owner-pharmacist Charles Beaver said Wednesday that the pharmacy still has some spots available for AstraZeneca doses, which are available to anyone 55 and older. Beaver has been administering both Moderna and AstraZeneca this week, and the pharmacy is taking registrations on their website for anyone interested in a vaccine, and will contact people once they become eligible.
Jean Coutu pharmacist Aaron Lloyd says all spots for the 90 doses of Moderna vaccine the shop has to administer next week filled up within hours of becoming available. Jean Coutu is not able to take on additional AstraZeneca supply, says Lloyd, as they are at capacity with the doses they are currently receiving.
Vitalité Health Network got a late start with its clinics at the Tantramar Civic Centre. A first clinic slated for April 7 was delayed due to lack of registration, and since then two clinics (April 10 and 14) have administered about 650 doses of Pfizer vaccine. A next clinic is scheduled for April 21, says department of health spokesperson Shawn Berry.
Scroll down for information on eligibility and how to register.
Charles Beaver says he’s not in a hurry to administer the remaining 100 of the 500 doses of AstraZeneca the pharmacy received last week, since the shelf life of the vaccine is much more forgiving than some others, and there’s a potential interruption in supply coming the week of April 26.
At Thursday’s COVID briefing, health minister Dorothy Shephard said that while shipments of Moderna have been delayed here as elsewhere, the province has pivoted and made up for shortfall with additional supply of AstraZeneca.
On Thursday, New Brunswick reported an additional 6400 people received a first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. As of that report, 20% of the population have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. There are still 37,311 doses on hand in the province, waiting to be administered.
VACCINE ELIGIBILITY INFO FOR SACKVILLE – AS OF APRIL 15
As of April 15, the following groups are eligible to book a vaccine through the Corner Drug Store:
- anyone aged 55 and older (AstraZeneca only for those under 70)
- workers who regularly travel across the border, including regular commuters, truckers and rotational workers,
- first responders who are 65 and older.
As of April 15, the following groups are eligible to book a vaccine through any pharmacy in New Brunswick:
- anyone aged 70 and older,
- workers who regularly travel across the border, including regular commuters, truckers and rotational workers,
- first responders who are 65 and older.
As of April 15, the following groups are eligible to book a vaccine through a Horizon or Vitalité clinic.
- anyone aged 70 and older,
- First Nations, aged 16 and older,
- workers who regularly travel across the border, including regular commuters, truckers and rotational workers,
- people with complex medical conditions,
- people aged 40 or older with three or more select chronic conditions,
- health-care workers and health system staff,
- first responders.
WHO TO CONTACT TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT
To book at a Sackville pharmacy, you can call Jean Coutu at 506-536-0230. The Corner Drug Store is asking people to register via their website. If you are not currently eligible, you can register now, and Corner Drug will contact you once you are eligible.
In Port Elgin, people can call Village Pharmacy at 506-538-2333. In Memramcook, people can call the Familiprix at 506-758-1890.
To make an appointment at a Horizon or Vitalité clinic, people can go online or or call 1-833-437-1424.
If you need help getting to your vaccine appointment, Rural Rides Tantramar can help provide transportation to vaccine centres or pharmacies. To book a ride or volunteer as a driver, call 506-962-3073.
