COVID-19 vaccines now available at all North Idaho Safeway, Albertsons

SANDPOINT — Qualifying residents can now get their COVID-19 vaccinations at the region’s Safeway and Albertsons pharmacies.

David Green, director of pharmacy for Safeway and Albertsons, Seattle Division, said any of the vaccinations will not only prevent the virus from spreading, but also prevent more serious disease, complications and death.

“That’s what I tell everybody, including my family,” he said.

Pharmacy teams are currently administering the Moderna vaccine, aiming to distribute roughly 200 vaccines per week, Green said.

Those eligible for vaccinations include those ages 55-64 with at least one medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, those ages 65 and older, healthcare workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, first responders, K-12 teachers and school staff and frontline essential workers.

The most common side effect is arm soreness, Green said, sometimes accompanied by fatigue or nausea. Many of the side effects tend to be similar to those of a flu vaccine.

Earlier in the pandemic, pharmacies saw the longest lines from seniors 65 and up, he said. Now as the categories have expanded, some areas have seen a drop in demand. The goal, he said, is to get most, if not all community members vaccinated and build herd immunity.

Many of the patients coming in for vaccinations are grandparents, Green said.

“A lot of these people hadn’t seen their grandkids in nearly a year,” he said. “Overwhelmingly, there’s just been a ton of gratitude with the people that we’ve immunized.”

Those who come in for their first vaccine will automatically have a second appointment scheduled and receive a 10% off coupon for their groceries at each appointment, according to a press release. Appointments can be booked online at https://mhealthcheckin.com/.

Green added that if someone is having trouble with online scheduling or has questions, they can call their local pharmacy directly and get help walking through the steps. In some cases, pharmacists may be able to schedule the appointment directly.

Vaccination appointments can be scheduled at all of the following locations:

Sandpoint Safeway at 702 N. 5th Ave; Coeur d’Alene Albertsons at 220 Ironwood Dr; Both Coeur d’Alene Safeways at 121 W. Neider Ave. and 1001 N. Fourth St.; Bonners Ferry Safeway at 6519 Main St.; Hayden Albertsons at 162 W. Prairie; Moscow Safeway at 1320 Blaine St., and Lewiston Albertsons at 1024 21st St.