Montreal pharmacist on private mission to create ultra-safe vax clinic for immunocompromised
For the immunocompromised, COVID-19 vaccines can be a double-edged sword. It's essential for them to get the shots -- but doing so can mean standing in crowded lineups, potentially exposed to the thing they most want to avoid.
That's why one Montreal pharmacist decided to turn his small space into a special, ultra-safe vax clinic for this group.
"This is a group of people that have been literally staying at home for two years, and now with the guise of protecting them, we're putting them at the most significant risk they've endured so far," said Daron Basmadjian, the pharmacist at Proxim Arto Basmadjian.
The pharmacy is a small one near the Montreal General Hospital, and it's normally closed on weekends, but now it's opening during off-hours just for one person at a time, to make sure that immunocompromised clients can get their shots with a minimum of risk.
They're also allowed to wait in their cars during the 15-minute observation period, among other specially designed accommodations.
For people whose bodies produce almost no antibodies, the idea is a big relief.
"Other than a few critical medical appointments, I have not been in an indoor space other than my own residence in pretty much two years," explained Ryan Partridge, one of the clinic's vaccine clients.
People are so desperate for this kind of service that they've been driving to the pharmacy from the West Island, Laval, the South Shore and other areas, Basmadjian said.
Anxiety has grown with Omicron, given how contagious it is, he said. This week he took to Twitter to publicize his system.
In this private mission, he's booking appointments by personal email, at basmadjianpharm@gmail.com.
Many immunocompromised people are now on their fourth shots, after becoming eligible for boosters earlier than the general population.
For more information, watch the video above.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.