COVID-19
Important precautions to keep in mind when visiting your pharmacy.
Pharmacists: always available throughout the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is for the public to be able to get their medication thanks to an effective and accessible network. With over 1,900 points of service across Québec, community pharmacies are playing a key role during this crisis, providing the population with the medication it needs as well as certain health services.
COVID-19 vaccination at your pharmacy
This vaccination campaign is the most ambitious in Québec history and community pharmacists’ contribution is vital to the success of this operation, thanks to some 1,500 pharmacies vaccinating the population against COVID-19.
Here is some important information you should consider prior to making your appointment to make the entire process simple and straightforward.
Moving up an appointment for second dose of Moderna
—When vaccinated with Moderna in a pharmacy
If you were vaccinated in a pharmacy, you already have an appointment for your 2nd dose. As such, you have nothing to do if you choose to keep the scheduled appointment. Changing the date of your 2nd dose is not mandatory. However, if you do want to move up your 2nd dose, you need to access the Clic Santé platform to do so (the required interval between doses is 4 weeks).
—When vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer in another vaccination site
Using the Clic Santé platform, you can check available time slots across your region in various vaccination sites including pharmacies. You can choose to schedule your 2nd dose appointment in a pharmacy even if your 1st dose was administered elsewhere. Please note that pharmacies do not offer the Pfizer vaccine. You do have the option of changing the type of vaccine for your 2nd dose.
AstraZeneca vaccine—Second dose
The recommended interval between doses is at least 8 weeks, but an interval of 12 weeks or more may result in a better immune response.
At the present time, certain pharmacies do not have any AstraZeneca doses. As such, available time slots for this vaccine may be limited. However, pharmacies will receive further doses in the coming weeks. If you were vaccinated in a pharmacy, your appointment for the 2nd dose is already scheduled. Nevertheless, you can move your appointment date and change the type of vaccine you want on the Clic Santé platform. When receiving your 2nd dose in a pharmacy, you may choose between the Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines.
For those whose 1st dose was the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec (CIQ) favours mRNA vaccines (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna) for the 2nd dose. In any event, whichever you may choose, both combinations provide a very good level of protection.
Don’t miss your second appointment!
The 2nd dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 is essential as it helps reduce the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19, increases the vaccine’s protection level and provides the best long-term protection. You are considered fully protected one week after receiving your 2nd dose.
For further information on the COVID-19 vaccination across Québec, please visit the government website.