NEWS RELEASE
ANDREA KHANJIN, BARRIE-INNISFIL MPP
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Barrie and Innisfil are rapidly increasing capacity in its COVID-19 vaccine rollout with the addition of seven more pharmacies offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 and older throughout this week. Between both Barrie and Innisfil, there are now 16 secured pharmacies providing vaccinations safely, and close to home.
“With the variants of concern increasing COVID numbers daily and the ICUs filling up across Ontario and even here locally at the RVH, we are in a race against the clock to get people vaccinated,” said MPP Andrea Khanjin.
“At RVH, ICUs have filled up and we have started using the Cardiac Care Unit for COVID patients. The importance of increasing our capacity to administer vaccines is essential, which is why over the last week, we have secured an additional 7 pharmacies to administer the vaccine. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this is a key step towards that.”
Until there are enough vaccines so that the majority of Ontarians can be vaccinated it remains critical for everyone to continue following public health measures, we know work and keep us safe.
Barrie Locations:
- Costco Pharmacy - 41 Mapleview Dr. E.
- Drugstore Pharmacy - 620 Yonge St.
- Loblaw Pharmacy - 472 Bayfield St.
- Purehealth Pharmacy - 201 Georgian Dr.
- Rexall Pharma Plus - 567 Essa Rd.
- Shoppers Drug Mart - 420 Essa Rd., 165 Wellington St. W.
- Springwater Pharmacy - 1017 Carson Rd.
New Additions:
- Shoppers Drug Mart – 524 Bayfield St. N.
- Wal-Mart Pharmacy – 450 Bayfield St.
- Pharma Plus – 29-320 Bayfield St.
- Pharma Plus – 353 Duckworth St.
- Shoppers Drug Mart – C-2 509 Bayfield St.
- Prohealth Pharmacy – 5-480 Mapleton Ave.
Innisfil Locations:
- Alcona Pharmacy - 1070 Innisfil Beach Road Unit 14
- Rexall Pharma Plus - 7975 Yonge St.
New Addition:
- Sandy Cove Drug Store – 3-902 Lockhart Rd.
To find the nearest pharmacy offering vaccinations please visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
Quick Facts
- Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine at pharmacies require an appointment to be made in advance. As of April 3, eligible adults aged 55 and over in 2021 who are interested in booking an appointment, can visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a participating pharmacy and can contact the pharmacy to make an appointment.
- As these 700+ additional pharmacies start to offer the COVID-19 vaccine, they will be added to: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations. • Only COVID-19 vaccines that Health Canada determines to be safe and effective will be approved for use in Ontario. In alignment with updated NACI recommendations, Ontario will not use the AstraZeneca vaccine for individuals under 55, while data is being reviewed by Health Canada.
- Participation and performance in the 2020-2021 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP), as well as capacity and readiness for vaccinations, have been part of the criteria of selection to onboard pharmacies. The province is also ensuring that all pharmacies, chain and independent, are participating. Site selection also included input from local public health units, the Ontario
- Pharmacists Association (OPA) and Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (NPAC). Regions with high COVID-19 rates were prioritized.
- Ontario is currently under a Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home order. Ontarians are asked to limit trips outside the home to necessities such as food, medication, medical appointments, supporting vulnerable community members, or exercising outdoors with members of their household in their communities. Individuals should remain in their local communities and avoid all non-essential travel – even within the province – and stay home when ill even with mild symptoms. Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.
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