News Highlights for Southwest New Brunswick: March 16-23, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination clinics at 218 pharmacies across New Brunswick begin this week. Pharmacies will play a huge role vaccinating the majority of New Brunswick's adult population. Pharmacist Bradley Adams of PharmaChoice in St. George, where a Moderna vaccine clinic kicks off this week, says that he and his staff are excited to play such an important role in the health of both their community and New Brunswick as a whole. 

"As pharmacists, it's in our nature to want to help our communities, and this is no different. We are very excited to step up for our community to vaccine people," said Adams.

Pharmacists across the province received a surge in phone calls last Thursday after Public Health announced that people aged 85 and over are now eligible to contact a local pharmacy for their first dose vaccine appointment. 

"We have contacted our clients who are 85 and older to let them know they are eligible and can book an appointment with us," says Adams.

Some pharmacies are already fully booked for their first week of vaccine clinics, such as Cockburn's Drug Store in St. Andrews where a Moderna vaccine clinic kicks on Friday the 19th. Cockburns is currently booking appointments for the following week. Public Health encourages New Brunswickers to contact other pharmacies in your region for an appointment if the pharmacy you usually go to is fully booked.  

For the time being, pharmacies will be vaccinating clients with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. The province's available supply of AstraZeneca is currently being given to first responders including firefighters and police officers. At a press conference last Thursday, Public Health unveiled the province's vaccine rollout plans. The plans details which priority groups are eligible and when and also aims to give all eligible New Brunswickers who want the vaccine at least their first dose by Canada Day. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell said it is important for New Brunswickers not to try booking appointments when it's not their designated time.

"Please be patient. Your time is coming," said Dr. Russell

Minister of Health Dorothy Shephard says rotational workers have been placed in a high priority group for the vaccine in order to eventually reduce their quarantine time when they return home to the province.

"We have promised to reduce the burden on rotational workers regarding quarantine times, and we've been able to move them up on the priority list for the vaccine," said Minister Shephard.

Despite plans to reduce quarantine times of rotational workers, Minister Shephard said fully vaccinated New Brunswickers don't have free rein to travel without quarantining at this time.

"It's still too early to discuss opening up for travel," said Shephard.