Alberta Premier Jason Kenney (Government of Alberta)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine supply running out

Jan 18, 2021 | 10:40 AM

CALGARY, AB – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney delivered some good and bad COVID-related news Monday morning.

Kenney stated that Alberta Health Services (AHS) has wrapped up the first dose vaccinations at all 357 long-term care and designated supported living facilities in the province.

“This is a tremendous milestone and I believe it makes Alberta the first province in the country to complete the first dose vaccine rollout for this important and highly vulnerable population,” said the Premier.

Unfortunately, with that positive news comes some tougher information to swallow.

Kenney noted that due to the supply disruption the federal government announced last week, Alberta will have no more vaccine doses available to administer as first doses by the end of day Monday (Jan. 18) or early Tuesday.

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“Alberta Health Services has administered nearly 90,000 doses since vaccinations began on December 15. Over the past few weeks, Alberta has consistently ranked at or near the top of provinces for vaccine deployment,” he said.

“It’s great that we’ve been able to vaccinate so many, but we have quite simply run out of supply. Yes, we’ll get more vaccine in the coming weeks and some more doses this week, but we need to make adjustments today to accommodate this lack of supply.”

Kenney explained that new first dose appointments will not be scheduled until further notice.

“By pausing first appointments, we can ensure enough vaccine is allocated for committed second dose appointments. Second dose appointments will not be cancelled,” the Premier said.

“We believe that we can administer second doses to all those who need them within the recommended time frame.”

Kenney said that Alberta has the capacity to deliver 50,000 doses per week. In March, the province hopes and expects to be able to administer about 200,000 doses per week.

The big issue is vaccine supply.

“The shipments we receive do not match the pace at which we’re able to vaccinate Albertans. I’m deeply disappointed at the situation that we are now facing,” he said.

On January 15, it was announced the Pfizer vaccine shipments would be cut by 20 to 80 percent over the coming weeks.

“It’s doubly disappointing that Pfizer has since been able to readjust its delivery schedule so that European countries will not be significantly affected but Canada’s supply will be held back,” Kenney stated.

“We’ll have to delay the number of planned vaccines for eligible healthcare workers and the vaccination to other Albertans in the broader phase one populations.”

Kenney added that this means the planned vaccination of First Nations and Metis individuals over the age of 65 and seniors broadly over the age of 75 has been put on hold.

This week’s new shipment of Pfizer vaccine will not be enough to match the province’s pace of inoculation, according to Kenney.

“So, appointments, regrettably, will have to be rescheduled and fewer Albertans will be vaccinated in the short-term,” he said.

However, despite the setback, Kenney displayed optimism.

He said the province remains in a position to “ramp up and get back to record vaccination numbers” once sufficient vaccine doses are delivered.