March 9, 2021
The next groups of eligible Albertans will be able to start booking COVID-19 immunizations starting March 10 at 8 a.m.
There are two eligible groups that will be able to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine at this time. The first grouping includes all Albertans born in 1957. This cohort will be able to book an immunization appointment using the AHS online booking tool, and by calling Health Link at 811.
The second grouping are all First Nations, Métis and Inuit born in 1972. This cohort will be able to book an immunization appointment only by calling 811.
Covishield is the vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India, and considered equivalent to AstraZeneca. This vaccine was recently approved by Health Canada.
Pending vaccine supply, Albertans born in 1958-1971 will be offered a chance to book in the coming days, rolling one birth year at a time.
The initial doses of Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine will not be available at pharmacies.
Covishield/AstraZeneca will be offered in communities in each zone across Alberta, however, some individuals will need to travel outside their home community if they choose to receive this vaccine.
In general, Alberta Health is recommending Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine for Albertans, 18 to 64 without a contraindication such as a severe reaction to a vaccine ingredient.
Albertans in the target age group can choose if they would like to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine now or wait until their sequenced phase to receive one of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna).
Additional information will be provided in the coming days about who will be included and the timing of phases 2B and 2C of the vaccine roll out. Individuals potentially belonging to those phases, including healthcare workers, can still choose to receive Covishield/AstraZeneca if eligible and they would prefer to be immunized sooner.
With more Albertans becoming eligible over the coming weeks, the AHS online booking tool has been upgraded to help ensure eligible Albertans can book their appointments efficiently. In addition, Albertans calling 811 now have a choice to route their calls to book a COVID-19 immunization appointment or to reach a registered nurse for medical concerns. The two options will help refer callers more quickly to the resource they need. A holding queue for callers requesting the immunization appointment option has also been created which will allow 350 individuals to wait for a Health Link team member to book their vaccine appointment.
Combined, AHS and 811 have the capacity to book approximately 5,000 individuals an hour.
For more information on this, please see an open letter to Albertans here: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page15817.aspx
Like all of the vaccines currently approved for use in Canada, the Covidshield/AstraZeneca vaccine has proven to be highly effective in preventing serious illness and death in adults 18-64. It is provided in a two-dose regime, given approximately 16 weeks apart.
We encourage all Albertans eligible to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine to speak with their healthcare provider as they consider options. For more information on the different vaccines and eligibility timelines, please visit ahs.ca/covidvaccine or alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine
