COVID-19 FAQ

COVID-19 Vaccines

• How many potential COVID-19 vaccines has Canada secured?

  Canada has secured vaccine contracts from seven different manufacturers, several of which have been submitted to Health Canada for approval.

• Which COVID-19 vaccines are presently approved for use in Canada?

  To date, the following vaccines have been authorized for use in Canada:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
    • mRNA vaccine; requires ultra-cold (-70 C) storage
    • 2 dose regimen, 21 days apart
    • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given within 14 days of receiving any other vaccine
    • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
    • For more information, consult the product monograph and PHAC supplementary information for Health Care Professionals.
  • Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
    • mRNA vaccine; stored between -25 to -15°C
    • 2 dose regimen, 28 days apart
    • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given within 14 days of receiving any other vaccine
    • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
    • For more information, consult the product monograph and PHAC supplementary information for Health Care Professionals.
  • AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Viral vector-based vaccine (refrigerated temperature of 2°C to 8°C) Do not freeze
    • 2 dose regimen, 4 to 12 weeks later
    • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given 14 days after receiving any other vaccine
    • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
    • For more information, consult the product monograph and PHAC supplementary information for Health Canada professionals
  • Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Viral vector-based vaccine (refrigerated temperature of 2°C to 8°C) Do not freeze
    • A single dose regimen
    • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given 14 days after receiving any other vaccine
    • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
    • For more information, consult the product monograph and PHAC supplementary information for Health Canada professionals
• How safe and effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?

  Studies for each of the approved COVID-19 vaccines in Canada were conducted in different populations around the world, at different times during the pandemic and not in head-to-head comparative studies. Numerous scientific, peer-reviewed studies have shown that all the approved COVID-19 vaccines in Canada have gone through rigorous testing and clinical trials to ensure they meet the highest safety standard. All the approved vaccines have shown high efficacy in the most important outcomes: reducing severe symptoms of COVID-19, hospitalization, and death.

• Are there any side effects associated with receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

  Serious adverse effects from either COVID vaccine are rare. Common adverse events include injection site pain, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. Health Canada is closely monitoring any reports of adverse events from the population as people receive the vaccine, and there have been no reports of unexpected side effects from patients to date. Anyone who witnesses or experiences an adverse reaction to the vaccine is encouraged to report the reaction to their health care provider.

• How will community pharmacies support COVID-19 vaccination?

  As outlined in a recent report on COVID-19 Vaccine and Pharmacy Readiness from CPhA and Neighbourhood Pharmacies, there are a number of key roles that community pharmacies and the pharmacy workforce can play in supporting Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination roll out strategy. These strategies include decreasing vaccine hesitancy, increasing awareness, helping triage priority populations and monitoring for adverse effects, as well as administering the vaccine. Community pharmacists have indicated that they are willing to provide COVID-19 vaccinations and most Canadians report that they would like to be vaccinated at a pharmacy.

• What are the roll-out plans for the COVID-19 Vaccine across Canada?

  Roll out plans are being developed by provincial and territorial governments, taking into consideration Canada’s 7-point COVID-19 Immunization Plan and NACI’s Recommendations for Use of Coronavirus Vaccines. Priority populations include seniors, health care workers, long-term care residents and Indigenous communities. The overall goal is to receive enough COVID-19 vaccines to start vaccinating all Canadians by March 2021 and have 100% of the Canadian population vaccinated by December 2021. Plans will evolve quickly as more information becomes available and as formal roles for pharmacists are developed.

  It is unclear yet what the responsibilities and activities of the pharmacy workforce will be, or what (if any) additional training may be required, even for pharmacists already authorized to provide injections.

• Will pharmacists be prioritized among health care providers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

  To date, vaccination for pharmacists varies based on jurisdiction and place of practice. Some provinces have included the vaccination of pharmacists in their priority framework. Some pharmacists have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, depending on their level of risk and place of practice. Other provinces have not publicly indicated when pharmacists will receive the vaccine. Refer to local and provincial guidelines for more information.

• Can COVID-19 vaccines be administered in different dosing intervals?

  Due to recent vaccine supply and distribution challenges, the Government of Canada is revisiting the immunization schedule and NACI has published guidance that outlines key factors for consideration when adjusted dosing intervals may be required. Although it is advisable to follow the recommended schedule, the WHO has announced that the interval between doses may be extended up to 42 days.

*The COVID-19 Vaccines FAQs were cited from: Canadian Pharmacist Association, Protecting the Front Lines, COVID-19 Day to Day Questions, January. 28., 2021 https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/covid-19-information-for-pharmacists/guidelines-for-protecting-the-front-line-covid-19-day-to-day-questions

COVID-19 Testing

• Will Rexall be conducting COVID-19 testing at their pharmacies?

  A select number of Rexall pharmacies in Ontario will be conducting COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic patients who have pre-booked appointments with our pharmacy teams.

• Why is Rexall conducting COVID-19 testing at selected pharmacies?

  Testing for COVID-19 is one of the most important tools that we have against the coronavirus. As a government-led initiative, Rexall is working closely with Government and Public Health authorities. Rexall is stringently following all program guidelines set out by these organizations. These guidelines include client eligibility, infection prevention and control protocols, personal protective equipment requirements, sample collection and handling (including storage and transportation).

  As always, the health and safety of our employees, customers is a priority at Rexall.

• What is the procedure for COVID-19 testing at Rexall pharmacies?

  The health and safety of our employees, customer and patients is a priority at Rexall. All asymptomatic patients interested in receiving COVID-19 testing at selected Rexall pharmacies must pre-book appointments with our pharmacy. Before an individual entering the pharmacy is tested, they will be pre-screened twice by a pharmacist to ensure they are asymptomatic. Once at the time of the appointment booking and a second time just prior to the appointment time. All relevant information for test labelling and booking will be obtained before the appointment over the phone. These steps ensure the customer will be in-store for the least amount of time possible and well under the amount of time considered close contact (i.e. 15 minutes) by public health authorities. Finally, appointments will be booked 30 minutes apart to ensure adequate cleaning and disinfection time. All individuals will be required to be masked and asked to sanitize their hands.

General

• Are Rexall Pharmacies presently open to the public during COVID-19?

  Rexall pharmacies are designated as an essential service in all provinces across Canada. Rexall will continue to be open to serve our customers and patients. We recognize the critical role we play for many Canadians who depend on us to receive the medications and prescriptions they need. You can visit https://www.rexall.ca/storelocator/ for our locations and current operating hours.

• What steps is Rexall taking to keep employees and consumers safe at your stores during the COVID-19 pandemic?

  At Rexall, the health and safety of our employees, customers and patients remain a priority. As we work through the COVID-19 crisis, Rexall continues to focus on important actions such as:

  • Mandatory staff education on proper infection control processes,
  • Frequent hand washing with soap/water or alcohol-based gel as outlined by Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Routine and thorough cleaning protocols at our stores, disinfecting all high-touch areas every three-four hours, including the employee lunchroom, manager’s office, consultation rooms, Pharmacy pick-up and drop-off, cash registers and pin-pad terminals.
  • Ensuring employees and pharmacists have the information they need to stay healthy or to stay at home if they are feeling unwell
  • Cascading material related to COVID-19 to our store teams on a regular basis so that they can keep informed of the latest public health and operational information

  We have also encouraged social distancing at all Rexall stores and have provided signage regarding these measures at the front of our stores and floor decals throughout our stores. Furthermore, Rexall has installed plexiglass barriers between our employees and customers at point of purchase and pharmacy pick-up and drop offs.

  All Rexall employees are required to wear a face covering while working at our stores. We kindly remind patrons to follow the mandate/by-law related to face coverings that is active in their region. Wearing a mask or face covering is an additional measure we can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep each other safe. This means that, with some exceptions, all customers or visitors entering an indoor premise are required to wear a mask or face covering while inside.

  Rexall will continue to examine all safety protocols and incorporate any new measures put forth by Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure the safety and health of our employees.

• What is Rexall doing to ensure that the medication I require is available during COVID-19?

  Rexall pharmacists continue to work relentlessly on the frontlines, focused on safely serving our communities and ensuring our patients have access to essential medications. The dramatic impact of COVID-19 has placed a significant strain on the medication supply chain across Canada and around the world. In response, Rexall has been working diligently with our manufacturer partners and wholesalers to ramp up supply and provide early identification of potential shortages so that we can meet our patients' needs.

  Several governments and health regulatory authorities have also mandated or recommended discretionary limitations of a 30-day supply for prescription medications to stabilize the market. These recommendations are an interim measure to allow the supply system to rebound back to a sustainable state.

  Rexall continues to operate in an open and transparent manner, as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• There are items I am finding difficult to find now at your Rexall stores, how are you remedying this situation?

  The dramatic impact of COVID-19 has disrupted supply chains across the retail industry in Canada and around the world. Unprecedented demand of particular items sold at Rexall has led to a short supply of available stock. Rexall has been working diligently with our manufacturer partners to regain stability and are working tirelessly to ramp up supply of high demand products to meet the needs of our customers. We will continue to operate in a transparent manner with our customers and patients and regret the out of stocks items you may have encountered, and any inconvenience this may have caused.

• Do you recommend I stock up on my prescription in the event of a COVID-19 localized outbreak?

  We encourage you to speak with your Rexall pharmacist to ensure you have your required medication and all your prescriptions are up to date.

• If my local Rexall pharmacy is closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak how will I receive my medication and prescriptions during this time?

  We have protocols in place to maintain continuity of care and ensure prescriptions can be filled, leveraging our network of nearby Rexall stores. In a situation where a Rexall pharmacy is closed, you will still have access to our pharmacy services. Please contact your local Rexall pharmacy for further details should there be a closure.

• If I am in self-isolation due to COVID-19 how can I get access to my required medication and prescriptions during this time?

  Most Rexall pharmacies have existing delivery services available to our patients and can make arrangements with you, as required.

• If I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 can I come to the pharmacy to pick up my existing medication?

  We encourage you to have a designate pick up your prescriptions on your behalf or call the pharmacy in advance to arrange delivery. It’s best to coordinate a designate who has not been in contact with your or those living in the same household.