Local Pharmacies Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccines

Local Pharmacies Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccines

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville Drug Mart (Pharma Choice) and The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Vegreville started giving out the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine on March 15 to Albertans who were eligible for Phase 2A Immunization Program. This included people who were 65 to 74 years of age, First Nations, Metis and Inuit people 50 years of age and older, and staff and senior residents of licensed supportive living facilities who were not previously eligible.

Christine Good, who received the vaccine from Vegreville Drug Mart, said she was really happy about being able to get the vaccine locally. “I wanted to get the vaccine for safety sake. Getting the vaccine was just like getting any flu shot, there was nothing to it,” Christine said. “This year has been very lonely for me because I have not been able to see my kids or grandkids.”

Lynell Henry, who received the vaccine from The Medicine Shoppe, said she got vaccinated because she felt it is important to protect herself and others from the COVID-19 virus.

“We need to just get rid of that virus! I was really impressed with how gentle Nirav Prajapati, the Pharmacist was when he gave the vaccine to me. I didn’t even feel it,” Lynell said. “This year has been okay for me. Things didn’t change a lot for me. The only thing that bothered me was I didn’t get to see my grandson or grand daughter which was huge for me.”

May Four-Horns, who also received the vaccine from The Medicine Shoppe, said she wanted to get the vaccine because she has underlying health conditions. “I was scared before to go to the hospital or other places because of this virus. Then I also have been so cooped up in the house that I was going kind of stir crazy. I thought that if I get the vaccine, I will still do everything I have been doing such as social distancing but I wouldn’t be so afraid to go out. I will have more freedom.”