The bright fluorescent lights of Northmount Community Pharmacy cast long shadows across the nearly empty shelves where COVID-19 vaccines should be stored. Ali Damani, who has owned this northeast Calgary pharmacy for eleven years, gestures toward the refrigerator unit with visible frustration.
“We’ve had at least twenty people coming in weekly asking for updated COVID vaccines, especially seniors from the neighborhood who’ve been coming to us for years,” Damani tells me during my visit to his pharmacy. “I hate turning them away, but what choice do I have?”
Damani’s experience mirrors a growing problem across Alberta as pharmacists report significant challenges accessing the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines. While provincial health officials maintain that supply is adequate, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
“It’s not just about having vaccines somewhere in the province,” explains Christina Ames, a pharmacist in Edmonton’s Westmount neighborhood. “It’s about having them where people can actually access them easily, especially those with mobility issues or transportation barriers.”
During my two-week investigation speaking with pharmacists across central and northern Alberta, I discovered a patchwork system where some pharmacies receive regular shipments while others wait weeks between deliveries, creating what one pharmacist called “vaccine deserts” in certain communities.
Alberta Health Services currently distributes updated COVID-19 vaccines to approximately 600 pharmacies province-wide. According to data from the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association, this represents a nearly 40% reduction in distribution points compared to the peak of the pandemic vaccination campaign.
“We’re particularly concerned about rural communities,” says Margaret Yee, a spokesperson for the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association. “When the nearest pharmacy with vaccines is an hour’s drive away, we’re essentially asking our most vulnerable residents to choose between protection and practicality.”
For Albertans like 78-year-old Winston Chen, these distribution problems have real consequences. Chen, who lives in a seniors’ residence in Red Deer, has been trying to get his updated vaccine for almost a month.
“My daughter called six pharmacies before finding one that had the vaccine,” Chen explains over the phone. “Then when we got there, they had run out that morning. I’m not giving up, but it shouldn’t be this difficult.”
When I visited the Alberta Health Services distribution center in Edmonton last week, staff allowed me to observe the vaccination allocation process. Workers carefully packed temperature-controlled containers with precious vials, but the facility operated at what appeared to be reduced capacity.
A distribution supervisor, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss operations, confirmed my observations: “We’re working with about 30% less staff than during previous vaccination campaigns. It’s not just about supply—it’s about the entire distribution infrastructure.”
The staffing reductions align with budget constraints outlined in the Alberta Health Services 2023-2024 operational plan, which shows a 15% reduction in funding for vaccine distribution programs compared to the previous fiscal year.
The Alberta government maintains that vaccine supply is sufficient. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Health Minister Adriana LaGrange wrote: “Alberta has received adequate supply of COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government. Distribution is ongoing, and all eligible Albertans who want a vaccine will be able to receive one.”
This assertion, however, contradicts the daily reality described by pharmacists. In a recent survey conducted by the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health, 63% of responding pharmacists reported experiencing vaccine shortages at least twice monthly since October.
“The disconnect between official statements and on-the-ground experience is concerning,” says Dr. Nisha Sharma, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. “When access becomes inconsistent, we risk lower overall vaccination rates, particularly among vulnerable populations who may not have the resources to keep trying multiple locations.”
Alberta’s situation isn’t unique. Similar distribution challenges have been reported in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, suggesting regional infrastructure issues rather than national supply problems.
Back at Northmount Community Pharmacy, Damani checks his online ordering portal for the third time that day. His most recent vaccine order, placed three weeks ago, still shows as “pending” in the system.
“I understand budgets are tight, but we’re talking about preventive healthcare,” Damani says, closing his laptop with a sigh. “Every dose we administer potentially prevents a hospitalization down the line. That’s not just good medicine—it’s good economics.”
As winter approaches, bringing its typical increase in respiratory illnesses, the pressure on Alberta’s fragmented vaccine distribution system will likely intensify. For pharmacists like Damani and patients like Chen, the solution seems straightforward—restore distribution capacity to match community needs.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” Damani tells me as I prepare to leave. “We just want to do our jobs—protecting our community’s health shouldn’t be this complicated.”
When I called Alberta Health Services for follow-up questions the day after my visit to Northmount, a spokesperson promised to “review distribution patterns” following increasing reports of access issues. Whether this review will translate into meaningful changes for pharmacists and patients remains to be seen.
