Pharmacies in the Lower Mainland are seeing increased demand for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine amid the current measles outbreak, and some Richmond locations are out of stock entirely.
The good news, though, is that there’s no shortage of supply across the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region.
“Not all pharmacies, walk-in clinics and doctor’s offices will have vaccines available at all times, so that’s why we tell people to call ahead,” said Matt Kieltyka, VCH spokesperson.
VCH listed four places to get vaccinated in a news release about new measles cases Sunday, since many public health and doctor’s offices are closed weekends. By Tuesday afternoon, though, three of the pharmacies VCH listed said they’d run out of vaccines and the fourth clinic did not answer the phone.
Out of stock until later this week are the Shoppers Drug Mart locations at Richmond Centre, 11800 Cambie Road and 5555 Gilbert Road.
The BC Pharmacy Association also said Tuesday that pharmacists across the province have reported an increase in demand for measles booster shots and MMR vaccines.
One Lower Mainland pharmacy provided 30 immunizations in one day, the association said.
“Pharmacies are open late in the evening, on weekends and holidays. That’s why we are one of the most accessible and convenient health-care providers in the province,” said Linda Gutenberg, deputy CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association.
The Richmond Public Health office, run by VCH, is holding two drop-in immunization clinics this week for infants and children under five to get vaccinated. The clinics will run:
- Thursday, Feb. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
They’re targeting children under 5 who need their shot because older kids and adults can get their vaccine from a pharmacy, their family doctor or a walk-in clinic.
After calling around to a few pharmacies Tuesday afternoon, the Richmond News can confirm the following locations have MMR vaccines available:
Pharmasave Richlea Square
10151 No 3 Rd #116
Richmond Public Health
8100 Granville Ave.
T&T Pharmacy Lansdowne Centre
