A rush of vaccine-seeking customers and staff shortages are squeezing drugstores around the U.S., leading to frazzled workers and temporary pharmacy closures.

Drugstores around the country are being squeezed by a surge of vaccine-seeking clients and personnel shortages, resulting in frustrated employees and temporary pharmacy closures.

Normally, drugstores are busy with flu shots and other vaccines at this time of year, but lately, pharmacists are dispensing a greater number of COVID-19 doses and giving coronavirus tests.

President Joe Biden has urged vaccinated Americans to obtain booster injections to battle the growing omicron strain, and the demand for immunizations is set to intensify. More than two-thirds of COVID-19 vaccines are administered through local pharmacies, according to the White House.

And pharmacists are concerned that another task may be added to their must-do list soon: Pharmacists may be able to diagnose infections and then prescribe antiviral medications to clients if authorities approve antiviral pills from Merck and Pfizer to treat COVID-19.

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“There’s crazy increased demand on pharmacies right now,” said Theresa Tolle, an independent pharmacist who has seen COVID-19 vaccine demand quadruple since the summer at her Sebastian, Florida, and store.

Demand for COVID-19 vaccines increased over the summer, according to pharmacists, as the delta form spread rapidly. Booster shots and the expansion of vaccine eligibility to include children have since stoked it.

In addition to the workload and usual prescriptions, many drugstores have been requiring pharmacists to educate patients on their health in general or about chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

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