Did you receive the AstraZeneca vaccine and want to get it for your second dose?
British Columbians who received the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine will have an opportunity to book a second dose in the coming days and weeks at a community pharmacy.
On June 3, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the Province will proceed with offering patients who received their first COVID-19 immunization of an AstraZeneca vaccine to have either a second dose of AstraZeneca or one of the two mRNA vaccines currently available in B.C. – Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
The recommended timeframe between the first and second doses of AstraZeneca is eight to 12 weeks. The BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) says that people who received their first dose at a pharmacy will be contacted by the same pharmacist in the coming days to weeks to schedule an appointment.
Only the AstraZeneca vaccine will be offered at community pharmacies in B.C.
All patients who received the first shot of AstraZeneca will be eligible to receive a second dose of AstraZeneca. In accordance with public health guidelines, "patients who are contacted by their pharmacist for a second dose of AstraZeneca will also be informed that they can choose to receive an mRNA vaccine at a public health clinic instead," explains a news release.
When to expect a call
Pharmacy patients who want to book an appointment for their second dose of AstraZeneca will be contacted "in the order they received their first dose to ensure they receive their dose in the right period."
The BCPhA asks that you do not contact your pharmacy.
You will be contacted by your pharmacy based on when you received your first dose at a pharmacy. Here is when to expect to be contacted for your second dose:
Pharmacies across B.C. that provided COVID-19 vaccines are calling patients to make their second shot bookings. Photo via @bc_pharamcyTo find out more information on which coronavirus vaccine you feel is right for you, visit the BCCDC's information on second doses.
