Latest news with #MaddisonMcKee
Globe and Mail
14 hours ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Alberta revises new COVID vaccine policy to cover shots for health care workers
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.
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Alberta government to cover COVID-19 shots for health-care workers in policy reversal
In a partial policy reversal, Alberta's government said Tuesday it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers. Maddison McKee, spokesperson to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, said in an email that COVID-19 vaccine coverage will be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province's vaccination rollout. 'Immunization will remain voluntary,' said McKee. It comes two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for COVID-19 shots this season. Public health experts and health-care unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace. Premier Danielle Smith has said the aim of the new policy is to prevent wastage, after some $135 million was spent on unused doses. She's also pointed out that other vaccinations come with an out-of-pocket fee. The government did not immediately respond to questions about what prompted the shift. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta is one of several unions representing health-care workers that have been publicly pressing the government for months. President Mike Parker said his members demanded the change at the bargaining table, but the government decided to make it a blanket policy instead. The union reached a new tentative agreement last week with employers on wages and benefits, but it is yet to be ratified. 'This is both in the interest of our members and the public to make sure that these folks stay healthy and on the job,' Parker said. 'I'm pleased to see that it's now going to be inclusive of all health-care workers from the work that we did.' Parker said the government's next step should be allowing everyone to get vaccinated, if they want, free of charge. The government hasn't finalized how much other Albertans will need to pay, but an estimated cost to buy each shot is $110. The province said in June those who have compromised immune systems, people on social programs and seniors in congregate settings will be covered. Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called on the United Conservative Party government to give the shot to all seniors at no cost. 'They continue to make this up as they go along. Albertans deserve better than this incompetence and confusion,' he said in a statement Tuesday. Last week, the government opened online pre-ordering for the COVID-19 vaccine alongside flu shots. Albertans still need to book appointments for the shots, starting in October. Those who don't pre-order by a Sept. 30 deadline can still book an appointment once doses become available. However, the specifics of the qualifying health conditions for a free shot have not been released. LaGrange's office has said details of the plan are still being finalized -- including the updated vaccination schedule, eligible conditions, exact locations and administrative fee for COVID-19 vaccines. The province said it has ordered 485,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the fall -- about 250,000 fewer doses than were administered last year. The federal government put provinces in charge of buying COVID-19 shots this year, but Alberta's COVID-19 policy makes it an outlier. The province has said local pharmacies will no longer get a supply of COVID-19 shots, which will only be available through public health clinics through a phased delivery. The government has said the new approach would help it better know what to order in coming years. Public health-care experts have also said the province's COVID-19 strategy will create more barriers to getting vaccinated and lead to higher health-care system costs, as more people develop severe complications. Critics have also warned that excluding pharmacies from the rollout will limit access for rural residents, shift workers and others who rely on community-based care. Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that all adults 65 or older and health-care workers get the shot. Routine influenza vaccines continue to be publicly covered. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2025. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
CBC
15 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Alberta to cover COVID vaccines for health-care workers after all
Social Sharing In a partial policy reversal, Alberta's government said Tuesday it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers. Maddison McKee, spokesperson to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, said in an email that COVID-19 vaccine coverage will be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province's vaccination rollout. "Immunization will remain voluntary," said McKee. It comes two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for COVID-19 shots this season. Public health experts and health-care unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace. Premier Danielle Smith has said the aim of the new policy is to prevent wastage, after some $135 million was spent on unused doses. The government hasn't finalized how much other Albertans will need to pay, but an estimated cost to buy each shot is $110. The province said in June those who have compromised immune systems, people on social programs and seniors in congregate settings will be covered. Albertans can now book their COVID-19 vaccines for the fall, but it comes with a cost 8 days ago The way Albertans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine has now changed. For some, it will soon come with a cost. The provincial government launched a new vaccination policy to reduce waste. But critics say making Albertans pay for vaccinations puts everyone at risk. Last week, the government opened online pre-ordering for the COVID-19 vaccine alongside flu shots. Albertans still need to book appointments for the shots, starting in October. Those who don't pre-order by a Sept. 30 deadline can still book an appointment once doses become available. However, the specifics of the qualifying health conditions for a free shot have not been released. LaGrange's office has said details of the plan are still being finalized — including the updated vaccination schedule, eligible conditions, exact locations and administrative fee for COVID-19 vaccines. Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called on the United Conservative Party government to give the shot to all seniors at no cost. "They continue to make this up as they go along. Albertans deserve better than this incompetence and confusion," he said in a statement Tuesday. The province said it has ordered 485,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the fall — about 250,000 fewer doses than were administered last year. The federal government put provinces in charge of buying COVID-19 shots this year, but Alberta's COVID-19 policy makes it an outlier. The province has said local pharmacies will no longer get a supply of COVID-19 shots, which will only be available through public health clinics through a phased delivery. The government has said the new approach would help it better know what to order in coming years. Public health-care experts have also said the province's COVID-19 strategy will create more barriers to getting vaccinated and also lead to higher health-care system costs, as more people develop severe complications. Critics have also said excluding pharmacies from the rollout will limit access for rural residents, shift workers and others who rely on community-based care. Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that all adults 65 or older and health-care workers get the shot.
Toronto Star
16 hours ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
Alberta government to cover COVID-19 shots for health-care workers in policy reversal
EDMONTON - In a partial policy reversal, Alberta's government said Tuesday it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers. Maddison McKee, spokesperson to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, said in an email that COVID-19 vaccine coverage will be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province's vaccination rollout.
