
Health-care union calls for Alberta government to halt plan to limit free vaccines
EDMONTON — A union representing 30,000 health-care workers in Alberta is calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to reverse course and provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all front-line workers and any other Albertan who wants the shot.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta says that is the best way to protect patients, reduce hospitalizations, and keep the health-care system strong.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cision Canada
9 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Pfizer Canada and BioNTech Receive Health Canada Approval of LP.8.1 Variant Adapted COVID-19 Vaccine Français
LP.8.1 variant adapted COVID-19 vaccine COMIRNATY is now authorized in Canada for individuals 6 months of age and older. It is expected to be available in Canada in the coming weeks. KIRKLAND, QC, Aug. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada ULC and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) "BioNTech" announced today that Health Canada has authorized the LP.8.1 variant adapted COMIRNATY ® COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 6 months and older. The updated COMIRNATY ® vaccine targets the Omicron LP.8.1 variant, one of the most recently circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages. This season's Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be available in pharmacies across the country in the fall. The public program operates according to the eligibility criteria determined by each province. If an individual meets these criteria, they will be eligible to receive the vaccine for free. Efforts are ongoing in collaboration with private insurers and payers to streamline reimbursement processes within the private sector, for those who do not meet public program requirements. Individuals are encouraged to consult their provincial or territorial health authorities for comprehensive details. Health Canada's approval is based on the cumulative body of evidence previously submitted by Pfizer and BioNTech that includes clinical, non-clinical, and real-world data supporting the safety and efficacy of Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and BioNTech are based on BioNTech's proprietary mRNA technology and were developed by both companies. BioNTech is the Marketing Authorization Holder for COMIRNATY and its adapted vaccines in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries, and the holder of emergency use authorizations or equivalents in other countries. About Pfizer Canada Pfizer Canada ULC is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that help extend and improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety, and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit or you can follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube. About BioNTech Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) is a global next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel investigative therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. BioNTech exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic modalities with the intent of rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its diversified portfolio of oncology product candidates aiming to address the full continuum of cancer includes mRNA cancer immunotherapies, next-generation immunomodulators and targeted therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and innovative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are researching and developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global and specialized pharmaceutical collaborators, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Duality Biologics, Fosun Pharma, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genevant, Genmab, MediLink, OncoC4, Pfizer and Regeneron. For more information, please visit


Vancouver Sun
10 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Fraser Health promotes VP to take reins as new CEO
Fraser Health has named a new CEO. Dermot Kelly has more than 20 years of leadership experience in B.C.'s health system, including the past six years at Fraser Health, said Fraser Health board's in an announcement on Monday. 'We are thrilled to welcome Dermot into this role,' said chair Opreet Kang, lauding Kelly's leadership, experience and compassion. 'The Board has great confidence in Dermot's ability to foster meaningful relationships and deliver on the priorities that matter most to our patients, staff, medical staff and communities.' Kelly said is an 'honour' to serve Fraser Health in his new role. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Most recently Kelly was VP responsible for strategic planning and operations for the maternity, infant, child and youth program, medical imaging, six hospitals and 10 communities, said the board. He also led patient care and quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fraser Health is B.C.'s largest authority, serving communities from Burnaby to Boston Bar, including the Fraser Valley. Kelly replaces Lynn Stevenson, who has served as interim CEO since February after former CEO Victoria Lee's departure. The appointment comes amid criticism of executives receiving generous severance payments at a time the health care system is struggling with long waiting lists and staffing issues. Lee will be paid more than $609,000 based on an annual salary of about $377,000 plus vacation, pension, retroactive pay and other benefits. The payments will be paid out in instalments until next August. Postmedia has asked Fraser Health what Kelly's salary is and is awaiting a reply. More to come … chchan@


Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Toronto Star
Why Canadians with long COVID feel forgotten by the health-care system: ‘The pandemic still isn't over'
Boy dead after shooting in North York overnight, Toronto police say Thousands of Canadians have had their lives upturned by long COVID, or Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) — a collection of symptoms that continue or develop three months after the initial infection and last for at least two months with no other explanation, according to the World Health Organization. Susan Kao/ Toronto Star illustration