UCP government announces expansion of vaccination program

Alberta has already administered 46,791 doses of vaccine at a rate of 1,058 per 100,000. By the end of January, Alberta will have capacity to administer 50,000 doses of vaccine per week.

Thanks to this rapid progress, paramedics and emergency medical technicians will now be included in Phase 1. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians provide vital front-line services to vulnerable populations, work that has become even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are ramping up our capacity to ensure no matter how many vaccines arrive in Alberta, there are people lined up ready to receive them and health-care workers ready to administer them. Alberta is already a leader in the number of doses delivered – and we will continue ramping-up our vaccination efforts for the benefit of all Albertans. Our main constraint is the available supply of vaccines.”

“Expanding eligibility to more health-care workers – including EMS – helps us protect more vulnerable Albertans. Dedicated health-care staff around the province play a critical role in our fight to contain the spread of the virus. By vaccinating those who are directly caring for our most vulnerable, we will save lives.”

“On behalf of Alberta paramedics, I want to thank Minister Shandro and Premier Kenney for hearing our concerns and acting on them. Adding paramedics to the early prioritization list recognizes the unique challenges that we face as front-line health-care workers serving in the midst of a pandemic. Alberta has already been a national leader in vaccine deployment and today’s announcement cements Alberta’s role as a leader in getting vaccines into the arms of health-care workers and vulnerable Albertans.”

Health-care workers who are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine include:

• Health-care workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units, and operating rooms.
• Health-care workers in emergency departments.
• Home-care workers.
• Staff of long-term care and designated supportive living facilities.
• Respiratory therapists.
• Paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

Outreach will continue for residents of long-term care and designated supportive living facilities as a priority population.

By opening eligibility to all health-care workers in Phases 1A and 1B – and by adding paramedics and emergency medical technicians – more appointments will be filled, ensuring vaccine is administered to more people, faster.

Alberta Health Services is using the online booking system to arrange immunization of newly eligible health-care workers. Emails will be sent directly to eligible staff to book an appointment.