MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (WJRT) (3/5/2021) – There’s a fading opportunity for people in the northern part of ABC12’s viewing 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 them.
“I really want these doses to be used because so many people need them.”
Jessica Batteen’s job puts her at the forefront of the fight to get as many shots as possible in as many arms as possible. As part of that, the Rite Aid pharmacy leader is ensuring the chain’s vaccination effort runs smoothly. So what seemed like a significant surplus of doses could not escape her attention.
Why would you say these agreements are not being 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 responded during a Zoom conversation on Friday.
Nationally, Rite Aid regularly receives about 75,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. For many of his clinics, that translates to 200 admissions and 200 appointments offered five days a week every day. In some places, including Mt. Pleasant, for example, about half of those slots are unfilled.
“What is your reaction to that?”
“It’s a bit sad because there are so many people who still need it,” Batteen said.
It’s no secret that there have been a lot of headaches when it comes to who to call, where to go, and what to do to get a shot ASAP. Health departments, hospitals, clinics – all have been plagued by a shortage of supplies and telephone book-sized waiting lists. Moral for the story: it pays to shop around.
“The number of patients who came up to me in the store while I was there and said thank you, thank you for having this,” Batteen said.
The pharmacy leader recently updated policies at stores under her jurisdiction to make it easier for patients without Internet access to do so over the phone.
She encouraged anyone who falls within those CDC guidelines to make an appointment.
“They can easily make an appointment,” she explained. “It’s live scheduling, so whenever someone drops an appointment, someone can make that appointment.”
Again, patients have the option to do that over the phone or online and, with luck, get in the arm for an injection later in the day.
To register for an appointment, click here.
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