Albertans feeling vaccine fatigue, pharmacists say

Pharmacists preparing for the annual flu shot rollout say some Albertans are feeling vaccine fatigue.

A report from the Canadian Pharmacists Association shows nearly 60 per cent of Albertans are tired of getting vaccinated.

Pharmacist Jason Chan Remillard says it’s not that people don’t want the vaccine, it’s that they can’t be bothered.

“People are definitely interested in it, it’s just whether or not they’ll actually roll up their sleeves and come in and get the shot is the bigger question,” said Remillard, the owner and operator of a Pharmasave in Calgary.

Remillard says vaccine fatigue popped up over the last few years stemming from the pandemic, when vaccines were mandated.

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CityNews spoke to Albertans this week who feel their stance on vaccines has indeed changed in recent years.

“Two years ago, I wanted to go get a vaccine because you couldn’t do anything without it,” one person said. “But now I’m not in a rush. I didn’t get vaccines before COVID really all that often, flu vaccines and stuff, but now I probably will.”

“I haven’t jumped on getting a booster or anything,” said another. “Not because I’m afraid, but because it’s something else I’d have to put on my agenda.”

“I don’t think about regular influenza because it’s just part of our life now,” said a third. “And now COVID is just part of our yearly, ‘oh it’s fall, COVID season is here, get your shot if you want to.’”

‘These numbers are a concern’

While vaccine mandates for COVID are a thing of the past, pharmacists are encouraging everyone to get the shot, even if they don’t think they need it.

“I know about 40 per cent of Albertans say they don’t intend on getting the flu shot this year and about 42 per cent say they may not get the COVID shot,” said Remillard. “So these numbers are a concern because we’re still reminding Albertans that they need to get vaccinated, whether you’re healthy or not, whether you’re an immunocompromised senior, it’s still a good idea to get vaccinated and protect the community as a whole.”

The flu and COVID-19 shots for this fall haven’t been rolled out yet in Alberta, but people interested in the vaccines are encouraged to reach out to their local pharmacy.

WATCH: Fall vaccine push amidst declining uptake

Health Canada authorizes COVID vaccines

On Thursday, Health Canada authorized Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated COVID-19 vaccine for people six months and older – the mRNA vaccine targets the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant that is circulating in Canada.

Earlier this month, Health Canada authorized Moderna’s updated mRNA vaccine.

Both Pfizer and Moderna’s shots are one-dose vaccines for people five years of age and older.

At a press conference this week, both Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange would not reveal if they intended to get a COVID-19 shot this fall.

Both said they were healthy and would not publicize a private decision.

—With files from The Canadian Press