Photo Courtesy AHS

By Darren Rathwell

Demand for vaccine picks up at local pharmacies

Sep 17, 2021 | 4:29 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A surge in vaccine interest is being seen at some local pharmacies, following this week’s vaccine program announcement in Alberta.

“It has gone crazy. The phones haven’t stopped because there are a lot of people now panicking. People still aren’t really sure what to do so a lot are saying ‘I wanna go to the gym, I still wanna go to a restaurant,'” Greg’s Remedy’s pharmacy technician Nicona Brost said.

The pharmacy has doubled the amount of vaccine ordered over the past two weeks to 180 doses.

“It’s a difficult situation, a balancing act to get everybody done.. actually right now we’re booking into October,” Greg’s Remedy’s pharmacist Kathy Kieser said.

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Meanwhile, the IDA in Crescent Heights also says vaccine appointments have increased following the announcement.

While the vaccine rollout has been steady, the pharmacy’s staff say demand picked up over the last couple of days.

And management at the Redcliff Pharmasave say their operation is also booked up with vaccine appointments currently.

Premier Jason Kenney says vaccine bookings have nearly tripled with nearly 25,000 appointments to get a shot made since Wednesday.