Canadians seeking COVID-19 vaccinations at local pharmacies might encounter difficulties. Pfizer Canada has imposed temporary restrictions on the orders of one of its COVID vaccines at community pharmacies outside of hospitals. This limitation applies to the 0.3-millilitre pre-filled syringe during the current respiratory infection season, as confirmed by Sophie Morin, Pfizer Canada’s senior manager of external communications, in an email to CBC News on Monday. Despite this restriction, multi-dose options from previous seasons are still accessible to consumers.
Single-dose vials offer providers more flexibility in ordering, distributing, and administering vaccines, especially in rural areas. On the other hand, multi-dose vials may have lower packaging and storage costs. Pfizer’s pack of 10 single-dose pre-filled syringes remains available for distributors, according to Morin.
Hospitals and long-term care facilities typically receive vaccine supplies through public vaccination programs, as noted by both Pfizer and Ontario’s ministry of health. The ministry spokesperson for Ontario assured that there is enough vaccine supply available for order and delivery across the province to safeguard Ontario families during the respiratory illness season.
Pharmacists in Calgary recently reported waitlisting for COVID-19 vaccine administration due to stock shortages. Meanwhile, Moderna Canada confirmed the continued delivery of COVID-19 vaccine doses to provinces and territories as per schedule. The allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for the public market are managed by provincial and territorial health authorities.