Today, Dec. 23, Alberta Health Services (AHS) started administering 25,350 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to all healthcare zones today. 

In a release, AHS says that, "Fourteen dedicated COVID-19 centres across the province have been set up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which will be distributed to all eligible respiratory therapists, ICU staff and physicians, and some continuing care healthcare workers.  

"Staff and physicians identified for immunization during this preliminary phase have been selected based on their level of interaction with individuals that are COVID-19 positive, their risk of transmission from COVID-19 positive cases, as well as their role on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response." 

In Grande Prairie, the first person to receive the vaccine was Kristen Davis, an ICU Registered nurse at the QEII Hospital. 

“When I got the email that we were going to get the vaccine, I literally cried with relief,” says Davis, “I have seen firsthand how severe COVID can become.” 

It was announced on Monday, Dec. 22, that Grande Prairie would be one of the municipalities to receive 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week.  

Word came from Health Canada today that a second vaccine, manufactured by Moderna, has now been authorized in Canada.