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Albertans 18 years and older can book a fourth COVID vaccine starting Wednesday

This second booster will be available five months after getting the first booster shot
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(Contributed photo).

Alberta Health is expanding the age range of Albertans who qualify for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine.

The fourth shot — or second booster dose — will be available to anyone age 18 or over starting July 20.

Appointments for a second booster dose of mRNA vaccine can be booked five months or more after receiving the first booster dose. This fourth dose would follow the initial double-dose inoculations against COVID, as well as the first booster.

It is of most benefit to those at high risk of severe outcomes, stated Alberta Health.

“As we continue to live with COVID, vaccines remain critical to lowering your risk of severe outcomes and protecting our health-care system. Albertans are encouraged to continue to get their first booster and to consider their unique circumstances when making choices about second booster,” said Health Minister Jason Copping.

Expanded availability of a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine will provide Albertans with more choices about increasing their protection against COVID-19 based on their personal risk factors, said Copping.

Albertans can expect to see periods of increased transmission of COVID-19 through the summer and into the fall and winter, along with other respiratory diseases such as influenza.

The Omicron BA.5 variant is the most common strain in Alberta right now. Data suggests that this variant is more transmissible but does not indicate an increased risk of severe outcomes. Expanding the availability of second COVID-19 booster doses will give at-risk Albertans more choices about increasing their protection during this period of increased community transmission.

“We know that new variants of the COVID-19 virus will continue to emerge, and the best form of defence continues to be prevention. I urge all Albertans who have not already done so to access their first booster dose to help lower their risk of infection and severe outcomes and to carefully consider their own risk factors when making choices about when to get a second booster of COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta.

Starting July 20, Albertans 18 years and older can book appointments for second booster doses five months after receiving their last dose. They can book online by using the Alberta vaccine booking system or by calling 811.

Select pharmacies will be accepting walk-in appointments.

It is recommended to wait at least three months after a COVID-19 infection before getting a booster dose.

Albertans who have received one dose of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months ago are now eligible for a booster dose. Due to limited supply, appointments can only be booked by calling 811.

Visit alberta.ca/vaccine for more details on primary series and booster doses.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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