Latest news with #NationalAdvisoryCommitteeonImmunization
Edmonton Journal
07-08-2025
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: 'New approach' to COVID shots puts Albertans at risk
Article content On June 13, the minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, announced 'a new approach to COVID-19 immunizations' to reduce vaccine wastage and 'better align supply with demand … while continuing to protect those at highest risk.' Article content This rationale is a red herring. The 'new approach' drastically limits Albertans' access to the lifesaving COVID vaccine. Wastage? No provincially funded vaccine has been wasted. The COVID vaccine was provided by the federal government for the past four years; 2025 is the first time provinces must order and pay for it. Article content Article content Article content Under the 'new approach,' 240,000 fewer doses of vaccine have been ordered than were given last year. It also limits the venues for vaccine delivery to 13 per cent of the sites that were accessible last year, and drastically restricts who can receive free vaccine. Article content Albertans must register with the vaccine-booking system in advance if they wish to 'register intent' to receive a COVID shot. If more people register than the number of doses ordered, the minister has not provided assurance that the province can acquire more vaccine in time. Article content Pharmacists, who gave 87 per cent of COVID shots last year, have been removed from delivery options. COVID vaccine will be delivered entirely by public health clinics. This decision makes no sense; it instead creates unfair barriers to those who work shifts, lack transportation, or are unable to get to vaccine-delivery locations. Article content Article content The 'new approach' will limit who will receive COVID vaccine free of charge, requiring other Albertans to pay a yet-to-be determined fee. Alberta is the only Canadian jurisdiction that will make its citizens pay for the vaccine. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that everyone over the age of 65, health-care workers, pregnant women, and Indigenous people (including Métis) receive the COVID vaccine. Article content Cost is a barrier to many Albertans — particularly low-income families, community-dwelling seniors, and members of racialized and other equity-denied communities. Scientific research and evaluation have shown a clear cost-benefit to immunization of those groups included in the NACI recommendations. Their evidence is that the social and economic benefits of protecting these groups outweigh the costs. Article content The 'new approach' proposes to implement the campaign in four phases, beginning with seniors in group settings like nursing homes, then people compromised with some medical conditions, then all seniors, followed by all other Albertans. Alarmingly, health-care workers will not receive free COVID vaccine and are in the last group to be immunized, if vaccine is still available. Article content This 'new approach' is either a massive failure to plan or an actual plan to fail. Public health experts and common sense indicate that if you want to protect people from a killer disease for which there is a safe and effective vaccine, you should make the vaccine available, easily accessible, and affordable. The 'new approach' weaponizes a policy to do the exact opposite. Article content This 'new approach' creates obstacles to immunization against a serious vaccine-preventable disease that caused over 380 deaths last year — and unfairly disadvantages Albertans who would receive COVID shots free of charge anywhere else in the country. Article content Article content COVID vaccines, including the new non-mRNA product Novavax, are safe and effective and decrease the burden of illness and death for individuals and communities. Albertans, as with all other Canadians, deserve a fair chance to receive COVID vaccine if they want it. Article content Minister LaGrange must commit to follow national Canadian guidelines for free and timely access to COVID vaccine for all Albertans. Will the minister assure Albertans that there will be vaccine available to every Albertan who wants it? Following the 'new approach' will show that, compared to the rest of Canada, the 'Alberta Disadvantage' is real and possibly fatal. Article content Jeffrey Johnson, PhD, professor and former dean, School of Public Health, University of Alberta. Article content Dawn Friesen, MN, assistant deputy minister of Public Health and Compliance (retired). Article content Dr. Tehseen Lahda, pediatric specialist. Article content Dr. Paul Parks, emergency physician, past-president of the Alberta Medical Association. Article content John Church, PhD, professor emeritus, Department of Political Science, University of Alberta. Article content Kathleen Ness, assistant deputy minister of Health Service Delivery (retired), adjunct professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta. Article content
Hamilton Spectator
17-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta doctors association raises concerns over premier limiting free COVID vaccines
EDMONTON - The organization representing Alberta doctors is joining health-care unions in raising concerns over Premier Danielle Smith's decision to charge most Albertans for a COVID-19 vaccination this fall. Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, says the policy leaves behind many seniors and health-care workers, and doesn't even mention pregnant individuals, First Nations, Inuit, Métis or members of other racialized groups. The association head noted that goes against recommendations from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization. 'Being unclear about policy and creating barriers to vaccination for the most high-need groups are counterproductive measures,' Duggan said in a statement. 'We need a structured, substantial strategy, one that makes it as easy as possible for those who need vaccine the most to get it.' Smith has said the policy is about preventing wastage, recovering costs, and targeting COVID vaccinations to those who need them the most. Her United Conservative Party government will still pay for some to get the shot, including those who have compromised immune systems or are on social programs. Seniors in a congregate setting will also be covered, but those 65 years or older who are living independently will need to pay. The government has said it hasn't yet determined how much Albertans would pay, but it has estimated the cost to procure each shot is $110. Local pharmacies will no longer be given a supply of COVID-19 shots, which will only be available through public health clinics through a phased delivery in the fall. The government has said the new approach will help it better know what to order in coming years. On Monday, the United Nurses of Alberta and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta called for the government to reverse course and ensure vaccines are widely available, including for health-care workers. They said staff should not be expected to put themselves in harm's way without protection, and said barriers to vaccination will put patients and the health-care system at risk. Last week, 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. She has pointed to higher influenza vaccination rates, pegged at 21 per cent last year, and has suggested that COVID vaccines don't match the effectiveness of others, including for the measles. Duggan said she appreciates that the premier and Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange have made recent comments encouraging measles vaccination. 'They should be saying so every time they stand up in front of Albertans. With every new infection, it's more apparent that we need strong, structured and unwavering support for public health measures,' said Duggan. 'Right now, we need everyone to receive the same simple message: measles vaccine is safe and it works to prevent measles.' Opposition NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman has accused Smith's government of undermining its own public vaccination efforts, and has called the new COVID vaccine policy dangerous, callous, and anti-science. Public health-care experts say the province's new COVID-19 policy will create more barriers to getting vaccinated and also lead to higher costs as more people develop severe complications. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
17-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
Alberta Medical Association raises concerns over province limiting free COVID vaccines
The organization representing Alberta doctors is joining health-care worker unions in raising concerns over Premier Danielle Smith's decision to charge most Albertans for a COVID-19 vaccination this fall. Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, says the policy leaves behind many seniors and health-care workers, and doesn't even mention pregnant individuals, First Nations, Inuit, Métis or members of other racialized groups. She says creating barriers to vaccination for the most high-need groups is counterproductive. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The association head also notes pieces of the policy are counter to recommendations from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization. However, Duggan says she appreciates that the government is encouraging measles vaccination. Smith says her government is looking to prevent wastage, recover costs, and target vaccinations to those who need them the most. Story continues below advertisement
Hamilton Spectator
17-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta doctors association raises concerns over Smith limiting free COVID vaccines
EDMONTON - The organization representing Alberta doctors is joining health-care worker unions in raising concerns over Premier Danielle Smith's decision to charge most Albertans for a COVID-19 vaccination this fall. Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, says the policy leaves behind many seniors and health-care workers, and doesn't even mention pregnant individuals, First Nations, Inuit, Métis or members of other racialized groups. She says creating barriers to vaccination for the most high-need groups is counterproductive. The association head also notes pieces of the policy are counter to recommendations from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization. However, Duggan says she appreciates that the government is encouraging measles vaccination. Smith says her government is looking to prevent wastage, recover costs, and target vaccinations to those who need them the most. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
17-06-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta doctors association raises concerns over Smith limiting free COVID vaccines
EDMONTON – The organization representing Alberta doctors is joining health-care worker unions in raising concerns over Premier Danielle Smith's decision to charge most Albertans for a COVID-19 vaccination this fall. Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, says the policy leaves behind many seniors and health-care workers, and doesn't even mention pregnant individuals, First Nations, Inuit, Métis or members of other racialized groups. She says creating barriers to vaccination for the most high-need groups is counterproductive. The association head also notes pieces of the policy are counter to recommendations from Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization. However, Duggan says she appreciates that the government is encouraging measles vaccination. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Smith says her government is looking to prevent wastage, recover costs, and target vaccinations to those who need them the most. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
