Carla Haney, an ICU worker at Chinook Regional Hospital, who was the first person in Lethbridge to be vaccinated against COVID-19 back in December. (Alberta Health Services)

By David Opinko

More seniors, adults to become eligible for COVID vaccines in March

Mar 4, 2021 | 4:07 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta made two announcements Thursday regarding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.

Health Minister Tyler Shando says, starting the week of March 15, the province will be moving to Phase 2A of its vaccine distribution program.

Those in this group include:

• All Albertans aged 65-74
• First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people aged 50+
• Staff and residents of licensed supportive living facilities that were not included in Phase 1

Approximately 437,000 Albertans fall into the category of Phase 2A.

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“Widespread vaccination will help all Albertans get back to more normal life sooner,” says Health Minister Tyler Shandro. “Today’s announcement is an exciting step forward and one that should bring hope to us all.”

Earlier this week, Health Canada approved the vaccine from Oxford-AstraZeneca.

Alberta has now received confirmation that it is expecting 58,500 doses in the first shipment. Each patient will need two doses to ensure full coverage.

“We will be administering the AstraZeneca vaccine only to healthy adults aged 64 and under. Starting on March 10, we’ll be offering the vaccine to Albertans between the ages of 50 and 64 who don’t have a severe chronic illness.”

Those who are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine will still have the option to receive their immunizations from Pfizer of Moderna if they would prefer.

Shandro assures that, by the end of June, all Albertans aged 18 or older will be able to get at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine should they choose to do so.

This, of course, depends on the supply available to Canadians. Vaccine procurement is the federal government’s jurisdiction.

Part of the reason the Alberta Government was able to speed up distribution was by extending the length of time between the first and second doses, arguing that the first dose alone provides a strong level of protection.

READ MORE: Alberta extending time between COVID vaccine doses by up to four months

Vaccine appointments can be made to eligible Albertans by phoning Health Link at 811 or through the COVID-19 Vaccine Program website.