By Gus Saltonstall
An updated COVID-19 vaccine was approved last week to fight back against a new strain of the virus, but you won’t have much luck finding it at an independent pharmacy on the Upper West Side.
A new iteration of the vaccine from Moderna and Pfizer began rolling out on Friday, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the new shot for all Americans above the age of 6.
While there have been some initial questions over where to get the new vaccine, a government-created map recently went live that lets you search for nearby pharmacies that are carrying the updated shot.
Here is a list of the Upper West Side pharmacies where you can find the latest vaccine as of Wednesday.
- Walgreens at 4 Amsterdam Avenue
- Walgreens at 1889 Broadway
- CVS at 200 West End Avenue
- Walgreens at 2069 Broadway
- CVS at 2182 Broadway
- Walgreens at 380 Amsterdam Avenue
- CVS at 540 Amsterdam Avenue
- Walgreens at 609 Columbus Avenue
- CVS at 2495 Broadway
- Walgreens at 2522 Broadway
- CVS at 743 Amsterdam Avenue
- Walgreens at 2683 Broadway
- CVS at 2833 Broadway
- Walgreens at 2864 Broadway
You can check the cross streets and whether the COVID vaccine is in stock on the map. The shots at both CVS and Walgreens are free, regardless of insurance coverage, as the pharmacies are part of a federal program that covers the costs.
You can use the map by clicking — HERE — just start by typing in your ZIP Code.
What you won’t see on the map of vaccine destinations are any independent pharmacies carrying the shot.
The Rag called six different UWS independent pharmacies on Wednesday morning — none of them had the newest COVID vaccine.
“I keep ordering the vaccines every single day, and they keep saying out of stock, out of stock,” Ivan Jourdain, the owner of Ivan Pharmacy on Columbus Avenue between 93rd and 94th Streets, said. “But it’s not just our pharmacy, it is every independent pharmacy in the area.”
Jourdain explained that ever since vaccine distribution went from federal oversight to commercial oversight, it has been much more challenging for independent pharmacies to land the shots .
“[Vaccine distribution] is now…commercial…and that will always cater to the bigger fish than the little fish — and that’s the truth,” he said.
The shot to protect against the new BA.2.86 variant is the first version of the COVID jab that the federal government is not buying directly from the manufacturers and sending to pharmacies. The shots are now being sold in the commercial market, meaning pharmacies have to obtain the vaccines through pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that control their distribution — and are often owned or affiliated with the chains.
“I have names of people waiting, most of them are senior citizens or people that would like to get the vaccine at a local pharmacy, as opposed to the chains, and I can’t service them because I don’t have the vaccines,” Jourdain said.
He pointed to the importance of the personal level of service that independent pharmacies are able to provide their customers. “We make the experience more comfortable,” Jourdain said during a conversation Wednesday morning, which included multiple pauses for him to help customers on a first-name basis.
To receive West Side Rag’s free email newsletter, click here.
Thank you for this very helpful info.
No thanks, still not taking the jab! Lol.
“C’mon man…..everyone’s doing it”
Thank goodness for letting us know Mr. James. Bc I know most of us readers immediately started wondering “I really hope we get an update on Mike’s ridiculous medical history/future!!” Now we can all sleep soundly tonight! Hahahaha
Good! more for the sane!
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for reporting this miserable story about inequality in distribution., like the big guys don’t already have enough. I called my local, Danny’s, and was told they could only say “very soon.” Woe be us.
Something seems wrong here. Don’t the independents have a trade association that can lobby, sue etc? I got a shot at the Apthorp pharmacy during one of the earlier rounds and they’ were both polite and efficient.
I wish there were a way for us to help our independent pharmacies; I resent that I can’t get my vaccine at mine, but must go to one of the badly run (and overwhelmed) chain pharmacies.
Any suggestions who to contact to get the vaccine available to independent pharmacies? I understand it’s now a commercial enterprise and not federally run but someone must (I hope!) have oversight of the distribution. This freezing out of the independent pharmacies will only become more common in the future with other drugs and vaccines.
Perhaps we need to contact our State and Borough and District representatives. Donno if it will help, but if many of us write/call them about it (and share the link to this article), they’ll realize that there’s community pressure to do the right thing.
I’d. Suggest Congressman Jerry Nadler too.
I am one of those first name basis customers at Ivan’s and I have seen how kindly he treats everyone and the care he gives to people who are frail, worried, anxious, or just need not to be rushed. Who should we write to petition for Independent Pharmacies like Ivan’s to be able to be the service to the community that they have been – through the pandemic as well as before and since? I will wait longer to get the vaccine if it means getting it at Ivan’s. He deserves the option to provide them. We deserve better than just giant chain pharmacies where the customer is usually last.
Amen! Ivan is simply the best & most professional pharmacist I have ever met.
Thanks Gus…..our politicians say they support independent businesses, this shows the truth
I suggest we get the vaccine at CVS or Walgreen’s, but make of point of not buying anything else there on that visit.
Ivan is the best! I will wait until he has the new vaccine, to go to Ivan Pharmacy for it. The large chains engage in unfair practices and our neighborhood pharmacies are precious, especially Ivan’s.
Checked 79th Street Pharmacy. They have no idea when they will have any. Big pharma has taken it under their claws.
I hate to have to go back to a large pharmacy like Duane Reade to get the shot. I’ve rid myself of the way overpriced location on W 72nd and Broadway. For years I’ve only used Wellness Pharmacy on W 72nd St (formerly where Love’s used to be) It’s been a nice addition to life not to have to take one step inside a Duane Reade. I hope I can find an alternative.
Stay away from Duane Reade/Walgeens at 79 and Amsterdam. Surly pharmacy staff and you’ll wait forever for a confirmed appointment.
However, Walgreens at 72 and Broadway is a dream. It’s worth the walk for me. I only wish my regular pharmacy–Apthorp–could get the vaccines at the same time as the big chains.
Same here, Big Earl. I used to love Love’s, too, and have used Wellness as well. My “go-to” place is Joseph Pharmacy (same owners as Wellness, I’m pretty sure!). Duane Reade and its ilk … no, thanks.
Couldn’t agree more. The idea of getting a shot at DR, or even just going into the store, is the last thing I want to do. Am leaving nyc for a few weeks and will get flu/Covid shots outside the city
I love using Wellness Pharmacy! A bit pricier than the chain stores, but I’m happy to pay for their courteous and personalized service.
Ugggh! More PBM corruption! I believe there was a story recently in Westside rag about a bill up for consideration which would even the playing field fit independent pharmacies. I wanted to write a letter as they were requesting comments but I when u clicked into the proposed bill it was too overwhelming to figure out what exactly it said or what I should write. If anyone else wrote. Commented on the legislation in support of the independent pharmacies, I would appreciate if you would share the wording you used. I’d like to do something to keep my independent pharmacy in my neighborhood! (Joseph’s Phsrmacy)
Thank you for the article. I’m calling my local representatives tomorrow. Let us know what else can be done.
Polio, smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, rubella, chickenpox, meningitis, and tuberculosis. All vaccines that stop the spread of a virus. Got the Covid shot and got the virus. I’m now sticking with natural immunity, thank you.
you might have been sicker if you hadn’t had the shot though …not a bad idea to get the booster now
“Might,” “could” or “possibly” is not a compelling reason for me to continue taking what is essentially an experimental drug (each time signing away my rights, should I be harmed) . My government told me the “vaccine” would prevent me from getting Covid. It did not. Hence forth, my health decisions will be driven by facts over fear, and prudence over politics. But that’s me.
Facts are the Covid Vaccine protects against developing Severe Covid Disease. You didn’t develop severe respiratory problems because prior you had the Vaccine. If you hadn’t had been vaccinated your Covid infection could’ve lead to needing hospital attention. You haven’t developed Long Covid because you were vaccinated. Natural immunity is Short Lived. So, Wake up. Get boosted now.
Please get your vaccine everyone so we will be able to go out and enjoy the holidays.
Does anyone know if we still need those white Covid vax cards to get the new shot?
Yes. You need to bring the white covid vaccine card.
Duane Reade did not want to see or update my card when I got my shot today.
Let’s just hope the NY politicians don’t demand lockdowns again! https://www.city-journal.org/article/rational-fears-of-the-irrational
The pandemic is over. It ended a while ago.