DARTMOUTH, NS – Pharmacies in Nova Scotia celebrated a milestone today, as the 500,000th dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was administered at one of 295 pharmacy clinics across the province.
Pharmacies in Nova Scotia have played an integral role in Nova Scotia’s vaccine program by administering almost half of all the doses that have been delivered in the province.
“Nova Scotia pharmacies are leading the country when it comes to their participation in the COVID-19 vaccine program,” said Allison Bodnar CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. “Pharmacies are uniquely positioned to deliver vaccines because of their skilled healthcare providers, convenient hours and locations across the province. Our effective collaboration with government has resulted in an outstanding program. We hope the success of this program will lead to the expanded access of other funded vaccines in pharmacies.”
There is still a lot of work to do to increase vaccination rates across the many vaccine-preventable diseases in Nova Scotia and pharmacies are key to making this happen.
“Pharmacies from Yarmouth to Neil’s Harbour have signed up to provide the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Diane Harpell, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. “Patients have been very appreciative of their ability to get their vaccine at their local pharmacy and we have been proud to be a part of such an important program. We hope we will be able to do more to help increase immunization rates for other diseases in Nova Scotia, as well.”
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia has been coordinating the program with pharmacies and members of the Public Health COIVID-19 Vaccination Strategy team. The use of the CANImmunize App has helped facilitate vaccine bookings, particularly when an increased vaccine supplied allowed for moving up the timeline for second doses of the vaccine.
All Nova Scotians aged 12 and up are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine. If individuals have been unable to find an appointment convenient for them, they are encouraged to keep checking the COVID-19 vaccine booking site at http://novascotia.ca/vaccination. Appointments are being added to the booking site every day.
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For more information, contact:
Amy Wagg
Director of Communications
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
Email: amy@pans.ns.ca
Phone: 902-422-9583 ext 4