Alberta revises new COVID vaccine policy to cover shots for health care workers

Globe and Mail

4 hours ago

Alberta is making changes to its highly scrutinized COVID vaccine program to make shots free of charge for health care workers, but the majority of Albertans will still have to pay out of pocket.
Maddison McKee, press secretary to Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that vaccine coverage will be extended to all health care workers this fall. Ms. McKee did not say why the government decided to revise its policy.
Health care workers were previously excluded from receiving a provincially funded vaccine during the 2025-26 respiratory virus season – a decision that ignited concern and criticism from health care experts and advocates.
Mike Parker, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, a union that represents about 29,000 health care professionals in the province, said the change is partly a result of their bargaining.
Alberta health care union calls on government to halt plan to limit free vaccines
'In those discussions at the bargaining table, it was made very clear that they deserve to be protected, and they should have never been expected to put themselves in harm's way without basic protections,' said Mr. Parker, who noted that the contract has not yet been ratified.
'This is both in their best interest and the public's best interest to keep our people on the job and keep them healthy. Our members demanded that we go and get this done.'
Alberta will be the only province in Canada to charge most residents to get a COVID vaccine this fall, the cost of which is not yet known. Only seniors in care homes or receiving home care, immunocompromised individuals, people on social programs and now health care workers will be eligible for publicly funded shots.
The vaccine rollout will happen in four phases, beginning with high-risk groups identified by the province. And only public-health centres, not pharmacies, will administer COVID jabs.
Ms. McKee said health care workers who want to get immunized against COVID will now be included in Phase 1, during which residents of seniors supportive living accommodations and home care clients will also have access to provincially funded vaccines.
Albertans brace for province's new COVID-19 vaccine program, requiring many to pay out of pocket
'Immunization will remain voluntary,' Ms. McKee said.
She added: 'The fall immunization plan is currently being finalized, and full details – including eligibility and any administrative fees – will be available soon.'
The new COVID program goes against guidelines from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization, which strongly recommends vaccination for other high-risk groups. Health experts and advocates, unions and the Alberta New Democratic Party have voiced opposition to the policy, calling it confusing and harmful to public health.
Alberta has defended its approach as a way to minimize waste now that provinces, instead of the federal government, are responsible for vaccine procurement.
Albertans have until Sept. 30 to preorder a COVID vaccine through an online vaccine booking system, which also includes a preorder section for the influenza vaccine (which is still publicly covered). However, the province has said that Albertans who do not preorder their shot may still get immunized.