Spring COVID-19 vaccine doses expected for some vulnerable Albertans

Jennifer Lee · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 31, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 31

Preparations are underway for a constricted outpouring COVID-19 vaccination programme successful Alberta.

Pharmacists accidental definite groups of high-risk Albertans volition beryllium eligible for a biannual dose of the KP.2 vaccine, starting April 28.

Eligible groups see seniors (aged 65 and older), each First Nations, Métis and Inuit radical six months of property and older, immunocompromised Albertans six months and up, and adults surviving successful attraction homes, according to Alberta's updated immunization policy.

"The outpouring run for COVID vaccine is kind of going backmost to [being] a spot much targeted," said Calgary pharmacist Mathieu Giroux.

"So it's not unfastened for everyone."

In summation to susceptible groups, all different Albertans who person not received a changeable since October 1, 2024 will besides beryllium eligible for a KP.2 dose, an Alberta Blue Cross bulletin states. Albertans who person received a dose since October, and are not deemed high-risk, are not expected to beryllium eligible for different dose.

An outreach immunization programme for radical surviving successful congregate attraction homes is besides acceptable to statesman connected April 28.

For its part, Alberta Health did not reply questions astir its plans.

"The Ministry of Health is presently moving with [Alberta Health Services] to finalize the outpouring 2025 COVID-19 immunization program," a spokesperson said successful an email.

"We volition person much accusation to stock successful the coming weeks."

Older Albertans

Giroux expects astir request among his patients astatine Cambrian Pharmacy volition travel from those supra the property of 70.

"In the past 2 seasons, it seems similar it's the aforesaid colonisation that powerfully judge that each of the booster doses are bully for them – for their immunity," helium said.

"I deliberation the connection has been truly hammered beauteous bully successful those property groups, erstwhile they spot their doc oregon person immoderate infirmary visits."

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Alberta's COVID-19 immunization rates person dropped this season. Since the motorboat of the latest COVID-19 vaccination run successful the fall, 13.5 per cent of each Albertans person received a shot, down from 17 per cent successful 2023-24.

Older property groups thin to person higher vaccination rates. So acold this season, 41.4 per cent of seniors successful the state person been vaccinated.

Heba ElBayoumi has seen request wane at her Calgary pharmacy.

"I deliberation it's important that those susceptible groups of patients person entree to the biannual vaccine dose," said ElBayoumi, the proprietor of Heathers Pharmacy.

"I haven't had that overmuch demand, hence I did ever person banal successful my fridge. But present I volition beryllium restricted to lone connection it to eligible Albertans."

She's disquieted astir travellers who whitethorn privation different dose, but don't autumn into high-risk categories.

"I person capable vaccine connected hand. I judge we should beryllium capable to connection the vaccine to whomever wants to get a booster dose," said ElBayoumi.

The Moderna KP.2 vaccine and the Pfizer KP.2 vaccine volition beryllium utilized for the outpouring immunization program, the province's immunization argumentation says.

Timing for eligible children volition beryllium important, Giroux noted. The Pfizer formulation tin beryllium fixed to children aged 12 and up. But Alberta's Immunization usher says the Moderna vaccine, for usage successful anyone six months of property and older, expires connected June 17, 2025.

"As a result, eligible children six months to 11 years volition request to person the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine anterior to June 17, 2025," the Alberta Blue Cross bulletin states.