KENMORE, NY (WKBW) — Some independent pharmacies learned they could be getting more vaccines for those 65-years and older possibly this week or next.
This time they would come directly from the federal government — as of now — supplies have been coming from the state.
This is welcome news for Chuck Barone, pharmacist and owner of Ivy Lea Pharmacy in Kenmore.
“Hopefully that will just increase the amount of shots that we can get so we can get them into our patients,” remarked Barone.
Ivy Lea is already getting a state allotment of about 100 shots a week.
Barone says so far, he's been able to give out about 500-vaccines, but has a wait list of more than 2,000.
The pharmacy has been slammed with so many requests from those 65 plus that it's now asking for now calls and for customers to go online to Ivy Lea website.
“So if they go to our website — you can go right in and it will actually prompt you to join our wait list,” explained Barone.
Barone's pharmacy was selected as a federal partner eligible to receive and administer the vaccine.
“We don't know how much we are going to get. We don't know when it's going to come, whether it's going to be next week or the week after, but hopefully it will be soon,” replied Steve Moore, chairman, Pharmacists Society of New York State.
Moore says members who are federal partners should be ready for the vaccines arrival.
“So get your pharmacy ready — have your documentation in order — have your ducks in a row,” Moore stated.
Barone, of course, already administering his state allotment is now anxiously awaiting the federal government shipment — because right now he's fresh out of vaccines.
“As of now — we have zero,” replied Barone.
Barone says this week's nationwide winter storm delayed shipment.
But now Barone says he's keeping his fingers crossed that more is on the way to help those 65-plus.
“Ultimately we want to take care of our patients and the gratification that we’re receiving — is a good feeling,” Barone reflected.
