FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2021

Dartmouth, NS - The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS), which represents pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies across Nova Scotia, supports the call for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all healthcare workers, including community-based practitioners.

As the fourth wave of the COVID-19 virus hits Canada and makes it way to Nova Scotia, and as new highly contagious COVID-19 variants emerge, mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers is an additional measure that Nova Scotia can take to protect the public and the province’s healthcare workforce to ensure that it can meet the on-going demands of COVID-19 and all other healthcare needs of Nova Scotians.

“Some of our most vulnerable population visit pharmacies and other community providers every day,” says Diane Harpell, Chair of the Board of the PANS. “Health care providers, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have a responsibility to ensure that their practice environments are as safe as possible. The evidence is clear: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. As key partners in the vaccination program, we believe this is an important step for Nova Scotia.”

Even without a provincial mandate from the government, PANS calls on all health care employers to implement vaccine policies that support their practice environment and the patients they serve.

Finally, as vaccinations rates slow in Nova Scotia, PANS urges all practitioners to implement strategies to address vaccine hesitancy among the remaining population. The Association urges all Nova Scotians who have yet to be vaccinated to reach out to their pharmacist or other trusted healthcare professional with any questions they may have.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be booked through Nova Scotia’s online booking system at https://novascotia.ca/vaccination or by calling 833-797-7772. Walk-in Clinics are also being held across Nova Scotia. Visit the PANS website at: https://pans.ns.ca/walk-covid-19-vaccine-clinics for an updated list of pharmacy walk-in clinics.

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For more information, please contact:

Amy Wagg
Director of Communications
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 422-9583 ext 4
mail: amy@pans.ns.ca