Albertans to start paying for COVID-19 vaccines after province changes immunization program
In a press release Friday, the Government of Alberta said it was reducing eligibility for publicly-funded immunizations for the virus.
The province said just over 1 million COVID-19 vaccines were wasted in the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, equating to 54 per cent of Alberta's order that year.
It said the decision was made in response to changes to the federal vaccine procurement process earlier this year, which made provinces responsible for buying their own vaccines.
'Now that Alberta's government is responsible for procuring vaccines, it's important to better determine how many vaccines are needed to support efforts to minimize waste and control costs,' release said.
The new vaccine program will roll out in four phases. During the first, only residents in senior's supportive living and home care will be able to get a vaccine for free.
The second phase will open provincially-funded COVID-19 vaccines to people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, people living in congregate living accommodations, people on social programs like AISH or income support or people experiencing homelessness.
In the third and fourth phases, all other Albertans starting with those 65 years old or older will be able to purchase a vaccine.
Sarah Hoffman, Alberta NDP shadow minister for health, released a statement calling the decision 'callous' and 'anti-science.'
'It's cruel for the UCP government to put further financial burdens on Albertans who want to protect their health and their loved ones and not get COVID,' Hoffman said in the release.
'If the UCP government was really interested in eliminating waste and protecting the health of Albertans it would be promoting vaccines. That way the supply would get used and we would keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.'
The province did not give a timeline for the rollout of the new program and did not specify when Albertans would stop being able to get a free COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
Anyone who would like a COVID-19 vaccine can pre-order one starting Aug. 11. The province said it doesn't know yet exactly how much a dose will cost but estimates it will be about $110.
CTV News Edmonton has reached out to the health minister's office for more information.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
24 minutes ago
- CBC
Dozens of asylum seekers intercepted crossing into Quebec from U.S. in back of truck
Social Sharing Forty-four asylum seekers and three alleged smugglers attempting to enter Canada from the U.S. were intercepted in Stanstead, Que., by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) overnight Sunday. With the help of provincial police, the RCMP arrested the asylum seekers, who were travelling in a truck, near Haskell Road. Some of them included children. RCMP brought the asylum seekers to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office in Stanstead, according to Miguel Bégin, CBSA east border district director. The arrests come as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to cite illegal crossings and fentanyl trafficking at the Canada-U.S. border as one of the main reasons for his administration levying higher tariffs against the country. Canada is carrying out a $1.3 billion plan to improve border control, which includes hiring thousands of law enforcement officers and increasing aerial surveillance. Bégin said most of the migrants were transferred to the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle regional processing centre, where they are being screened for their eligibility for asylum in Canada. "It is highly likely that several migrants will be returned to the United States in the coming hours," Bégin told Radio-Canada on Monday morning. "Some were already returned yesterday because they did not meet the Safe Third Country Agreement exemption criteria." The treaty is premised on the notion that the United States is a safe country to receive refugees Canada turns away. It prevents people from claiming asylum in Canada if they are entering at an official land border crossing with the United States. He did not specify the migrants' country of origin. The alleged smugglers have been charged with counselling offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for allegedly inducing, aiding or abetting the entry of individuals into Canada through an entry point other than a designated customs office — in violation of the Customs Act. They appeared in court by video conference Sunday and are being detained in a provincial prison. The accused are expected back in court on Aug. 6, Bégin said. WATCH | Asylum claims increase at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., crossing: Refugee claims rise at Lacolle, Que., border despite overall drop in asylum seekers entering Canada 5 days ago Frantz André, spokesperson and co-ordinator of the Comité d'action des personnes sans statut, said he is worried about the Trump administration's mass deportation of migrants and called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to withdraw from the Safe Third Country Agreement. "People are very scared of what's happening south of the border," André said, noting that this is "probably not going to be the last time" large groups of people will attempt to cross the border. While André acknowledged that Canada will most likely continue to participate in the Safe Third Country Agreement, he suggests that the federal government put in place a special program for people from countries, such as Haiti, who are seeking safety, similar to settlement support Canada provided Ukrainians.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Wildfire smoke blanketing Ottawa could linger into Tuesday
Clouds and haze over the ByWard Market in Ottawa. Aug. 4, 2025. (Ted Raymond/CTV News Ottawa) Environment Canada says a cloud of wildfire smoke that is covering the nation's capital could hang overhead into Tuesday. A special air quality statement is in effect for much of the region as smoke continues to affect most of southern and eastern Ontario. 'The wildfire smoke may persist into tonight and possibly Tuesday before finally easing,' Environment Canada says. 'Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.' The air quality health index (AQHI) for Ottawa was 5, or moderate, at 10 a.m. It is expected to remain around a 5 for most of the day before dropping to a 4, still in the moderate risk category, overnight. The forecast for Monday calls for widespread smoke with a high of 27 C and a humidex of 32. The UV index is 7, or high. Expect a few clouds overnight and low of 15 C. Tuesday's forecast is cloudy in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, with a high of 27 C and a humidex of 32. The AQHI is forecast to drop to 3, or low risk, on Tuesday. Wednesday's outlook is partly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a high of 29 C. Ways to deal with smoke Environment Canada says there are ways to deal with wildfire smoke, both inside and outside your home. 'Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles,' the weather agency says. 'If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.'
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Canadian Armed Forces airdrop aid to Palestinians in Gaza
UNICEF spokesperson Salim Owels describes the situation on the ground as more aid is getting into Gaza with many challenges. OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canadian aircraft carried out an airdrop of nearly 10,000 kilograms of aid to Palestinians in Gaza on Monday. The Canadian Armed Forces flew a CC-130J Hercules aircraft over the Gaza Strip to conduct the drop. Prime Minister Mark Carney says in a social media post that Canada is 'intensifying our efforts' with international partners to develop a peace plan and ensure aid reaches Palestinians. Carney had posted video earlier in the week of Canadian aid pallets delivered to Gaza via Jordanian military aircraft. Israel recently loosened some restrictions on food and medicine reaching the Gaza Strip in response to an international outcry over starvation in the Palestinian territory. On Wednesday, Carney cited Israel's aid restrictions and the need to preserve a path to a two-state solution as reasons for declaring that Canada would officially recognize a State of Palestine. By Craig Lord With files from Dylan Robertson This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.
