Alberta expanding booster shot eligibility to people 50+, healthcare workers
Posted Dec 15, 2021 9:23 am.
Last Updated Dec 15, 2021 11:14 am.
Albertans 50 years and older can book their third COVID-19 shot, provided that at least six months since their last shot has passed.
Premier Kenney says he hopes to open to other age groups.
But says Alberta can only do so at the pace of the supply based on federal procurement.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) December 15, 2021
The UCP government expanded eligibility for the booster program Wednesday to include people over 50 and healthcare workers, making some 700,000 additional Albertans eligible for a third dose.
“Vaccines remain the most effective tool we have against COVID-19. It is especially important to get the booster dose when eligible with emerging information about third doses being more effective against the Omicron variant,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
“Vaccines give good protection against severe disease and hospitalization but their effectiveness can decrease over time, especially with this new variant. I encourage eligible Albertans to take advantage of the increased protection that third doses offer, even if they have had a previous COVID-19 infection.”
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Hinshaw says some Albertans have been particularly anxious to get their next COVID shot, but it is essential that people wait until six months after their last shot has passed as it ensures the highest level of protection possible.
“These people [who haven’t let six months pass between shots] are turned away when they arrive for their appointments and this valuable spot is taken away from someone else who is eligible,” she said.
“I understand people are eager to get those third doses. But please know that we are going to open up bookings to everybody as soon as we have the supply to do so. And you won’t have to wait much longer.”
Kenney says we have 475K Pfizer/Moderna shots at the moment.
We also have 64 bookings.
But Kenney says that only accounts for 1/3 of eligible demand, and believes that they'd need 1M doses to meet demand if it was 18+
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) December 15, 2021
Premier Jason Kenney says he has pressured the federal government to speed up vaccine delivery so that more Albertans can get their third shot.
Right now, Kenney says Alberta has 475,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna mRNA shots and 64,000 appointments booked over the next 20 to 28 days.
“While this is may seem like there is a lot of surplus, being that appointment bookings make up only about a third of the number of doses administered… we can expect at least 65 per cent of eligible Albertans, including these newly eligible individuals 50 plus, to get a booster dose. That’s approximately 1 million [doses] in expected demand and a supply of only 475,000. You can see the challenge,” Kenney explained.
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“We know that many are nearing their six-month mark so we continue to push the federal government to get as much support as possible. In the meantime, I encourage Albertans to get the boosters as soon as they are able and to take an mRNA vaccine that is available.”
