Central Albertans age 75 and older can start making online bookings for vaccines against COVID-19 on Wednesday as the province moves to the next phase of its roll-out.
All Albertans born in 1946 or earlier are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1B of the provincial vaccination program that starts this week.
The vaccine will be provided to seniors 75 year of age and older in two doses, given about five to six weeks apart. This aligns with the approach recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
Starting on Wednesday, Albertans who are over 75 can use the Alberta Health Services online booking tool to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated. Options for a time, date, as well as a window to book the second dose within the recommended 32 to 42 days will be available.
Those over 75 can also call Health Link to book an appointment through a Health Link nurse by calling 811.
According to the Alberta Health Services website, seniors must return to the same clinic to receive their second dose of the vaccine to ensure appropriate timing between doses and to help manage vaccine supply.
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Family members can book on behalf of those over 75 who are eligible to receive the vaccine. They will need the Alberta Health Care number and date of birth of the person being vaccinated and can make the appointment from a desktop computer or hand-held device.
Those who are being vaccinated will need to bring their government issued ID and their Alberta Health Care number with them to their appointment.
Seniors who require transportation assistance can call 211 for options. Seniors who are immobile and unable to make arrangements to get to a vaccination clinic should discuss with their families and health care providers what additional arrangement can be made.
Residents of lodges and private supportive living facilities do not need to book their own appointments as all arrangements will be made through site leadership and the care teams at each facility.
For questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, side effects, eligibility and more, visit: COVID-19 Vaccine Sequencing FAQ or the COVID-19 information page at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17295.aspx and https://www.alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine.aspx