Orleans pharmacy administers hundreds of boosters with overnight clinic
At Avalon Compounding Pharmacy in Orléans, approximately 780 COVID-19 vaccine booster shots were administered by Saturday afternoon, but some people weren’t so lucky.
“I came, it’s already over I have to come back again Monday,” said Makanza Pae hoping to get a COVID-19 shot.
The pharmacy held an overnight vaccine clinic Friday, taking only walk-ins. The lineup began as early as 5 p.m., with many staying late into the night in minus 20 degree weather, only to be turned away around midnight because of technical issues.
“We had some hiccups in our system,” said compounding pharmacist Andrew Hanna. “Power outages computer system failures… it did add to the delay of getting vaccinated and it delayed our flow.”
That delay meant more frustration for many who have been desperately trying to get their hands on a third dose.
"These guys have been working all night, working hard," said David Brown. "It's a crapshoot sometimes, the way it's working. You get lucky or you don't. In this case, I got a shot."
As of Friday, at least 45 per cent of eligible adults in Ottawa had received a third dose.
The rush to get doses into arms continues with Ottawa Public Health announcing 50,000 new appointments on Saturday. In Pembroke, a walk-in clinic was also offered to residents.
This comes as the Omicron variant spreads and hospitalization numbers are on the rise. Ottawa Public Health says 51 residents are in hospital, being treated for an active COVID-19 infection, eight more since Friday. Seven of them are in the ICU and two more people have died.
People eager for booster shots came to the Orléans from all around, hoping to secure a dose.
“We were going to come at two in the morning. We were ready but we heard the power was out so we came this morning,” said Cherie Gambell, a Grade 1 teacher who drove from Russell, arriving around 11 a.m. and successfully securing a booster shot.
“We’re ready to protect the kids and ourselves—mainly the kids—so we can get them back into school,” said Gambell.
The pharmacy said there are about 200 vaccines that they can give on Monday, on a first-come, first-served basis. They are expecting 800 to 900 more doses by Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.