Alberta Health Services will begin booking AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine appointments Wednesday.
Starting at 8 a.m., Albertans born in 1957, as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals born in 1972 can book an appointment.
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.
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.
The Covidshield/AstraZeneca vaccine is provided in a two-dose regime, given approximately 16 weeks apart.
“This is a good, safe option if you are relatively healthy and do not have a specific chronic condition; are not a healthcare worker or caregiver of high-risk individuals or do not live or work in congregate settings or live with high-risk individuals,” AHS said in a statement.
In the release, AHS noted they have the ability to book approximately 5,000 individuals an hour.
To book an appointment, head to www.ahs.ca/vaccine or dial 811.