Booking For Covid and Flu Immunizations open Tomorrow
Alberta's fall COVID-19 vaccines free only for eligible groups starting Oct. 19; flu shots free for everyone
Bookings for COVID-19 and influenza immunizations open October 5, with provincially funded COVID-19 vaccines becoming available to eligible Albertans starting October 19.
As was the case last year, Alberta has not restored universal free COVID-19 vaccines. The province continues to fund the shot only for specific risk-based groups, while influenza immunization remains free for everyone.
Who qualifies for a free COVID-19 vaccine?
Provincially funded COVID-19 vaccines will be available to Albertans:
65 years of age and older
6 months of age and older who are:
residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
individuals with underlying medical conditions, including immunocompromising conditions
homeless
pregnant
First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals
health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
teachers eligible under the Back to School Act
Children 6 months up to 11 years of age who are eligible can receive provincially funded vaccines free of charge through Primary Care Alberta public health clinics. Children who do not meet the eligibility criteria can still access the vaccine at Primary Care Alberta, but with an administrative fee of $100 per dose or series.
Individuals 12 years and older who do not qualify for provincially funded COVID-19 immunization can purchase the vaccine at participating community pharmacies.
Eligible underlying medical conditions
The province's eligibility list includes:
cancer (currently receiving treatment)
cerebrovascular disease
chronic liver diseases
chronic lung diseases
chronic kidney diseases
cystic fibrosis
diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2
disabilities (for example, Down syndrome, learning, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, ADHD, cerebral palsy, congenital disabilities and spinal cord injuries)
heart conditions (for example, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, heart failure and more)
mental health disorders (limited to mood disorders, including depression; schizophrenia and spectrum disorders)
obesity
pregnancy
tuberculosis
Eligible immunocompromising conditions include HIV infection, primary immunodeficiency diseases, solid organ or blood stem cell transplant, and use of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive medications or CAR T-cell therapy.
Eligible health care workers
Health care workers who qualify include individuals actively registered with one of Alberta's colleges, union members (for example, UNA, HSAA, AUNP, AUPE, CUPE), and individuals who work in patient-facing settings such as:
hospital staff (including students in health disciplines, contract workers and volunteers)
staff in community health settings (for example, clinical labs, home care, shelters)
medical first responders
staff in continuing care and supportive living
disability support workers and staff working in recovery settings
health care aides on the provincial registry
students training in facilities such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, continuing care homes and supportive living accommodations
Flu shots free for all
Influenza immunization remains free of charge for people who live, work, or go to school in Alberta, or are visiting Alberta.
Both immunizations can be given at the same visit. There is no required waiting time between the COVID-19 and influenza immunizations, and they are typically given in different arms.
What you need to know before booking
According to Alberta Health, if you are not eligible to get immunized for COVID-19 free of charge, you can purchase the vaccine through a participating pharmacy. Albertans are also encouraged to get their influenza vaccine at the same time. Eligibility will be confirmed at your appointment.
A note from last year
Last October, I received both my flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. The nurse asked whether I had any underlying medical conditions. In the past, simply having asthma had not qualified me for certain other vaccines, so this time I added "obesity" — a condition explicitly listed on the eligibility criteria. I always thought it was pretty evident I was a wee bit fat, but the nurse said they do not assume anything. I did not receive an invoice for the $100 fee.
I got both injections at the same time and expected to feel lousy for a day or two. I would much rather be miserable for a short while than get the flu or COVID-19. The last time I had COVID-19, I was coughing for months and had to get a special inhaler just to be able to say more than a word or two at a time.
National context
Alberta's approach keeps it an outlier among provinces. Ontario is offering free COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to everyone aged 6 months and older this season, with high-risk groups able to book starting late September and the general public from October 26. British Columbia also provides free COVID-19 vaccines to all residents.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended that provinces may offer COVID-19 vaccines to everyone aged 6 months and older, but the final decision rests with each province.
How to book
Bookings open October 5. Eligible Albertans aged 12 and older can book through participating pharmacies or Primary Care Alberta. For more information, visit the Alberta Health Services immunization page.
COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Alberta dropped sharply last year. As of late July, only about 437,000 Albertans had received the shot, compared with 730,000 the previous year.
