Changes to the Alberta government’s COVID vaccination plan this year mean many Albertans are facing long waitlists and a hefty bill to get their shot.

With the government-run program only offered through public health clinics and many of those clinics experiencing long waits, some Albertans are choosing instead to go to their local pharmacist to get immunized — as they have done in previous years.

“I think in previous years pharmacies did such a good job handling the COVID shots, and now I’m just hearing the frustration of people that are waiting and booking into December,” said Jason Chan Remillard, a pharmacist at Northmount Pharmasave.

Residents can book their immunizations either by contacting their local public health or community health centre, booking online using Connect Care,

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