Alberta to offer third COVID-19 vaccine doses to select groups starting Sept. 1

CALGARY — The province says third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to about 118,000 eligible Albertans, starting Sept. 1.

The government sent out a release announcing that seniors living in long-term care, immunocompromised people with certain conditions, and travellers heading to countries that don’t accept the AstraZeneca/CoviShield shot will be eligible to sign up.

The release also says receiving a third dose will boost immunity levels and improve protection for the vulnerable groups it is being offered to.

“We remain committed to protecting Albertans from COVID-19, and vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to offer this protection,” Health Minister Tyler Shandro says in the release. “We have always relied on the latest research to guide our decision-making, and now that evidence shows immunocompromised individuals and seniors in congregate care will benefit from getting a third dose, we are pleased to provide them.”

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Seniors living in long-term care homes will be eligible for their third dose approximately five months after having received their second dose, and they’ll be able to access it at their living facility.

Immunocompromised people with a qualifying condition can get their third dose at least eight weeks after their second dose. Qualifying conditions include;

• Transplant recipients, including solid organ transplants and hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
• Individuals with chronic kidney disease who are receiving regular dialysis.
• Individuals in active cancer treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies) excluding those receiving only hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
• Individuals on certain medications for autoimmune diseases, including rituximab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.

“The data shows that additional doses will offer stronger protection for immunocompromised individuals and older Albertans living in supportive living facilities,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, in the release. “Just as we offered these individuals earlier access to COVID-19 vaccines and a shorter four-week interval between doses, we will continue to work to protect all Albertans as new data emerges. However, the best way for us to protect each other is still for as many people as possible to be fully immunized.

The government release also says, “Albertans with two valid doses of any vaccine used in Alberta are considered to have received a complete series. However, some jurisdictions outside of Canada have indicated that they will not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses. Additional mRNA doses will be made available at least 28 days after a second dose to Albertans who are travelling to a jurisdiction that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses.”

The province also says 77.9 per cent of Albertans aged 12 and older have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, while 69.7 per cent have received two doses.