Homestead Co-op pharmacy in Portage la Prairie has received a limited supply of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The pharmacy can now administer the vaccine to Manitobans aged 50-64 years, and First Nations people aged 30-64 years, with a high-risk condition as these individuals are at increased risk of experiencing serious illness requiring hospitalization or death related to COVID-19.

Only individuals who are on this eligibility list can call and make an appointment for immunization. The pharmacy asks that people do not call if ineligible at this time, as this will delay others who can make an appointment. Those booking appointments will be screened to ensure current eligibility criteria are met.

Additionally, anyone who is already eligible for the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, such as health care workers, and is aged 18-64 is also eligible to receive the AstraZeneca shot. However, anyone that has received a first dose of Pfizer or Moderna should not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Homestead Co-op pharmacy will begin administering the vaccine as soon as blocks of ten appointments have been scheduled, as each vial of the vaccine contains 10 doses. Once a vial is opened, it must be used within a 48-hour time period.

"We have them on-site and we are scheduling appointments as people reach out to us," says Shannon Vaughn, Homestead Co-op marketing and member relations coordinator.

Those concerned with reports of blood clots caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine should not be concerned. Health Canada issued a release Thursday stating it is aware of reports of adverse events in Europe following immunization with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and would like to reassure Canadians that the benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh its risks. Health Canada authorized the vaccine based on a thorough, independent review of the evidence and determined that it meets Canada’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.

The release continues by stating at this time, there is no indication that the vaccine caused these events. To date, no adverse events related to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, or the version manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, have been reported to Health Canada or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Those that qualify for the most recent AstraZeneca vaccine eligibility group are encouraged to contact the pharmacy to schedule an appointment at 204-239-0458.

To learn more about this vaccine and the eligibility criteria visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html#clinics-pharmacies.