Over the past few weeks, pharmacies have been inviting patients who received first doses at their pharmacy for their second dose. Some patients also received a first dose of AstraZeneca from public health clinics, and pharmacies have been asked by public health to contact those patients for their second dose.
Pharmacists have administered more than 65,000 second doses of AstraZeneca to date. Pharmacies have also been contacted by patients for a first dose of AstraZeneca in cases where their primary health-care provider, allergist or public health officer has determined they should not receive an mRNA vaccine.
During the initial second-dose roll-out for pharmacies, uptake was very positive. While some patients are opting to receive an mRNA vaccine after the June 17 guidance update was published by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, pharmacists continue to offer second-doses of AstraZeneca to patients who wish to receive them.
If the provincial government determines pharmacists should provide mRNA vaccines, pharmacies are willing to do so. B.C.'s pharmacists are also looking forward to serving as vaccine providers should the provincial government offer additional booster COVID-19 vaccines in the future.