Alberta will expand its COVID-19 vaccine rollout to include people under age 75 starting on March 15, the province announced on Thursday.
Under the expanding program, about 437,000 more people will become eligible for inoculations, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said at a news conference.
“We are now able to announce two more steps forward,” Shandro said. “First, I’m pleased to say bookings for Phase 2A will begin the week of March 15. Now, this means that more than 437,000 Albertans between the ages of 65 and 74 will soon be offered the vaccine.”
To avoid long delays for those making appointments, when Phase 2A begins on March 15 bookings will be offered in two-year age groups, Shandro said. On the first day, anyone aged 73 or 74 will be able to book.On the second day, eligibility will be expanded to include anyone aged 71 to 72, and so on from there.
“Staff and residents in seniors’ supportive-living facilities who are not already immunized will also be able to book appointments starting on Day 1,” Shandro said.
“Appointments will be booked through both participating pharmacies, the online booking tool, as well as HealthLink 811. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who are aged 50 and older will also receive the vaccine starting the week of March 15.”
Shandro was joined at the news conference by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health.
The province is still finalizing details, and exact start times will be announced the week of March 15, Shandro said, with immunizations beginning that day or the next.
“And it’s important to remember that under our system you never lose eligibility for the vaccine,” he said. “Once you’re eligible you stay eligible. No one is left behind.”
Alberta will soon begin using the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, the minister said, and plans to offer the first 58,500 doses of that vaccine only to healthy adults aged 64 and under starting on March 10.
“These Alberans will have a choice,” Shandro said. “They can book an appointment now for the AstraZeneca or they can wait to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine when Phase 2D begins in early May.
People in other Phase 2 groups will be prioritized for the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines because of their age, their chronic health conditions, or their living arrangements, he said.
Latest case numbers
The province reported nine more deaths and 331 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.
Hospitals were treating 245 patients for the illness, including 47 in ICU beds.
There were 4,613 active cases across Alberta. The regional breakdown of those active cases was:
- Calgary Zone – 1,645.
- Edmonton Zone – 1,082.
- Central Zone – 545.
- South Zone – 326.
- North Zone – 1,009.
- Unknown – six.
Laboratories completed 9,483 tests over the past 24 hours.
As of Thursday, more than 266,000 vaccine doses had been administered in Alberta and more than 90,000 people had been fully inoculated with their second doses.
