Alberta’s government will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines to all seniors aged 75 and over provincewide.

Starting Feb. 19, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will offer the vaccine directly to all residents in retirement centres, lodges, supportive living and other congregate living facilities with residents who are aged 75 or older.

Starting Feb. 24, any Albertan living in the community who was born in 1946 or earlier will be eligible to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. Appointment availability will be based on vaccine supply.

Independent and community seniors

Anyone who was born in 1946 or earlier will be able to receive the vaccine, regardless of where they live. Seniors will be able to book their immunization appointment through AlHS using an online and telephone booking system.

Details on how to book – by phone or online – will be released on Feb. 24, and links will be posted on the COVID-19 vaccine web page. Information about supports for isolated seniors and those with mobility challenges will also be posted.

Seniors living in congregate settings

AHS will be offering the vaccine directly to all residents in retirement centres, lodges, supportive living and other congregate living facilities with residents who are aged 75 or older. Health officials will contact seniors congregate care facilities to arrange appointments for immunization services.

In sites where eligible seniors interact with residents younger than age 75, health officials will offer the vaccine to everyone living in the facility. Offering COVID-19 vaccine simultaneously to all residents reduces the overall risk of disease transmission, severe illness and death in the most vulnerable.

Eligible Albertans

Seniors aged 75 and older will join the growing list of Albertans who are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, including:

  • Health-care workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units, and operating rooms.
  • Health-care workers in emergency departments.
  • Home care workers.
  • Residents and staff of long-term care and designated supportive living facilities.
  • Respiratory therapists.
  • Paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
  • First Nations, Métis and persons 65 years of age and over living in a First Nations community or Metis Settlement.

Completion of second doses in long-term care and designated supportive living facilities

Residents at AHS contracted long-term care and designated supportive living facilities in Alberta are now fully immunized against COVID-19.

29,233 residents across the province have now received two doses of vaccine. This represents all eligible residents at these facilities, except those too sick or otherwise unable to receive both doses.

Information provided by the Government of Alberta.