B.C.’s Community Pharmacies preparing for role in COVID-19 vaccine delivery

On Mar. 18, the B.C. government announced it is adding community pharmacies to its list of locations delivering COVID-19 vaccinations as part of the province’s vaccine roll-out plan. B.C.’s community pharmacists are ready to help immediately and appreciate the ever-evolving challenges of the vaccine supply.

The BC Pharmacy Association is pleased, after the many weeks of discussions with the government about the role of pharmacies and pharmacists in the largest immunization campaign undertaken, that today’s announcement assures British Columbians that their local pharmacies will soon be providing COVID-19 vaccinations.

The next steps will be working with the Health Ministry, health authorities and our members to determine logistics, the vaccines, and their supply in a manner that ensures the most efficient and effective delivery of vaccines to the most patients in the shortest time possible. 

Since 2009, B.C.’s community pharmacists have had the ability to administer vaccines to patients. In the last flu season, B.C. pharmacists successfully gave more than 1 million flu shots. More than 4,000 pharmacists can administer vaccines to patients in pharmacies across the province.

We appreciate the continued support of Minister Adrian Dix and his pandemic response team.