Alberta ends universal COVID vaccine coverage, premier blames low uptake and wasted shots
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government's new policy forcing many Albertans to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccination is about focusing on those who need it the most.
It could set a precedent across the country after the federal government put provinces in charge of buying COVID shots earlier this year.
Speaking Saturday on her call-in radio show the morning after her government announced the move, Smith said $135 million got 'flushed down the drain' last year with doses wasted in part because Albertans are increasingly choosing to not take them.
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The Province
10 hours ago
- The Province
Alberta ends universal COVID vaccine coverage, premier blames low uptake and wasted shots
Danielle Smith said $135 million worth of doses got 'flushed down the drain' last year in part because Albertans are increasingly choosing to not take them Published Jun 15, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 3 minute read Alberta will stop covering COVID-19 vaccines for most residents, with Premier Danielle Smith citing low update, high costs and doubts about their effectiveness. Photo by JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government's new policy forcing many Albertans to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccination is about focusing on those who need it the most. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It could set a precedent across the country after the federal government put provinces in charge of buying COVID shots earlier this year. Speaking Saturday on her call-in radio show the morning after her government announced the move, Smith said $135 million got 'flushed down the drain' last year with doses wasted in part because Albertans are increasingly choosing to not take them. 'I think it's because it doesn't work particularly well, if you want the truth,' Smith said. Just under 14 per cent of Alberta's 4.8 million residents got vaccinated for the virus last season. 'It's those that are healthy, that choose to do it because they've talked to their doctors, those are the ones that will have a little bit lesser priority,' she said. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A health worker administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic. Photo by FILE PHOTO Smith's government will still pay for some to get the shots, including those who have compromised immune systems or are on social programs. Seniors in a congregate setting will also be covered. It's all part of an effort to get more bang for the taxpayer's buck, Smith said. 'We believe in vaccine choice, but we don't pay for everything,' she said. She pointed to higher influenza vaccination rates, pegged at 21 per cent last year, suggesting that COVID vaccines don't match the effectiveness of others, including for the measles. Alberta, which is grappling with a spike in measles cases not seen for almost 40 years, is falling well short of the 95 per cent immunization rate experts say is needed to protect the population. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Smith's United Conservative Party government doesn't yet know the amount Albertans, including many seniors over the age of 65, will need to pay for a COVID shot. It estimates it could be $110 each. We believe in vaccine choice, but we don't pay for everything. Routine influenza vaccines will continue to be publicly covered. Public health-care experts in Alberta say the province's new COVID policy will mean more barriers to getting vaccinated and higher costs for things like hospitalizations and severe complications. Dr. Lynora Saxinger, a physician and University of Alberta infectious diseases expert, told The Canadian Press Saturday that both COVID and influenza vaccines are formulated based on seasonal changes, so Smith's prioritization was perplexing. 'They're probably pretty similar in terms of how much potential they have to prevent severe illness — hospitalization, death, and then all those other things that come on the heels of both influenza and COVID,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Infectious diseases specialist Dr Lynora Saxinger. Photo by Ian Kucerak / Postmedia She noted that for those 65 years or older, the risk of pneumonia, heart attack and stroke are much higher after a patient has had COVID or influenza, so vaccination can significantly reduce risk. In a news release, Smith's government pointed out that guidelines offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, under anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The U.S. federal health agency recommended stopping vaccines for healthy pregnant women and healthy children. Alberta's Primary and Preventative Health Care Minister Adriana LaGrange declined an interview request from The Canadian Press. Her office also declined to say whether LaGrange agreed with Smith's assessment that the COVID vaccine 'doesn't work particularly well.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Maddison McKee, LaGrange's press secretary, said in a statement late Friday night that the government is following national guidance. But, McKee confirmed Saturday the province is bucking one recommendation from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization that health care workers get a shot. 'Health care workers who do not fall into a higher-risk group will be eligible to purchase a vaccine,' McKee said in a statement. Saxinger said vaccinating workers isn't just about preventing an occupational risk — it's about protecting patients. She said influenza data shows that if you vaccinate health care workers, you reduce the death rate of the vulnerable people in their care. The Opposition NDP has long accused the UCP of being anti-vaccination, and has called for the government to better promote the public health benefits of getting vaccinated. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman said Friday it's a dangerous, callous and anti-science move to charge Albertans who want to protect their health and their loved ones. University of Calgary health law professor Lorian Hardcastle has warned of the potential extra costs to the health care system, and has said she worries that Albertans are getting the message that vaccines just aren't that important. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News News
Calgary Herald
15 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Alberta premier defends charging most Albertans for COVID-19 vaccines
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government's new policy forcing many Albertans to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccination is about focusing on those who need it the most. Article content It could set a precedent across the country after the federal government put provinces in charge of buying COVID shots earlier this year. Article content Article content Speaking Saturday on her call-in radio show the morning after her government announced the move, Smith said $135 million got 'flushed down the drain' last year with doses wasted in part because Albertans are increasingly choosing to not take them. Article content Article content Article content Just under 14 per cent of Alberta's 4.8 million residents got vaccinated for the virus last season. Article content 'It's those that are healthy, that choose to do it because they've talked to their doctors, those are the ones that will have a little bit lesser priority,' she said. Article content Smith's government will still pay for some to get the shots, including those who have compromised immune systems or are on social programs. Seniors in a congregate setting will also be covered. Article content It's all part of an effort to get more bang for the taxpayer's buck, Smith said. Article content 'We believe in vaccine choice, but we don't pay for everything,' she said. Article content She pointed to higher influenza vaccination rates, pegged at 21 per cent last year, suggesting that COVID vaccines don't match the effectiveness of others, including for the measles. Article content Article content Alberta, which is grappling with a spike in measles cases not seen for almost 40 years, is falling well short of the 95 per cent immunization rate experts say is needed to protect the population. Article content Smith's United Conservative Party government doesn't yet know the amount Albertans, including many seniors over the age of 65, will need to pay for a COVID shot. It estimates it could be $110 each. Article content Routine influenza vaccines will continue to be publicly covered. Article content Public health-care experts in Alberta say the province's new COVID policy will mean more barriers to getting vaccinated and higher costs for things like hospitalizations and severe complications.
Edmonton Journal
15 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta premier defends charging most Albertans for COVID-19 vaccines
Dr. Lynora Saxinger, a physician and University of Alberta infectious diseases expert, told The Canadian Press Saturday that both COVID and influenza vaccines are formulated based on seasonal changes, so Smith's prioritization is perplexing.
