MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (WJRT) (20-5-2021) – There’s a fading opportunity for people in the northern part of the ABC12 lookout area: one of the state’s largest pharmacy chains – Rite Aid – says it has more vaccines than appointments and they are looking for people to report it.
“I really want to use these doses because so many people need them.”
Jessica Batteen’s work puts her at the forefront of the fight to get as many shots in as many arms as possible. As part of this, the pharmacy leader of Rite Aid is making sure that the chain’s vaccination effort runs smoothly. Thus, what appeared to be a significant excess in doses could not escape her attention.
‘Why would you say that these appointments are not fulfilled? Is it a lack of interest or is it a lack of awareness? ‘
“I think it’s a lack of awareness and the fact that a lot of it is online,” she replied during a Zoom conversation on Friday.
At the national level, Rite Aid regularly receives approximately 75 thousand doses of Pfizer vaccine. For many of its clinics, this means 200 shots and 200 appointments offered every day five days a week. In some places, including Mt. Pleasantly, for example, about half of the slots are unfilled.
“What is your reaction to that?”
“It’s quite sad because there are so many people who still need it,” Batteen said.
It is no secret that there is a lot of head scratching when it comes to who to call, where to go and what to do to get the chance as soon as possible. Health departments, hospitals, clinics – all at one time or another are plagued by shortages of supplies and waiting lists on the phone book. Moral to the story: it pays to shop around.
“The number of patients who came to me in the store while I was there and said thank you, thank you for having it,” Batteen said.
The pharmacist leader recently updated the policy at stores under her authority to make it easier for patients without internet access to do so by telephone.
She encouraged everyone who falls within the CDC guidelines to make an appointment.
“They can easily get an appointment,” she explained. “It’s live scheduling, so when someone leaves someone an appointment, someone can take the appointment.”
Again, patients have the ability to do this telephonically or online, and with any luck, sit down for a shot in the arm later that day.
Click here to register for an appointment.
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