More long weekend appointment spots were added to reduce the wait for kids’ COVID-19 vaccine booster shots in Red Deer.
Alberta Health Services reported on Tuesday that 120 new appointments for children ages five to 11 have been added to the booking site for Labour Day Monday, Sept. 5.
These additional spots — along with drop-in clinics for booster shots for children in the same age group to be held on Fridays, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Johnston Crossing Community Health Centre — should help reduce the wait for appointments in Red Deer, said an AHS spokesperson.
“There should no longer be a three-week waiting list.”
Some frustrated parents had previously been posting that Health Link 811 call agent had told them no Red Deer appointments were available.
According to AHS, booster shot bookings for this age group can be taken now, but appointments can only be made after Wednesday, Aug. 31, because Alberta Health set this as the threshold date for booster eligibility. As with other age groups, kids must wait five months after getting their previous COVID-19 shots to start getting boosters.
Anyone in this age cohort who was mistakenly booked for a booster before Aug. 31 because of a glitch in the booking system will be rescheduled. About 67 people were called back by Health Link to reschedule.
In Alberta, all children six months and older can be vaccinated and AHS maintains that vaccination is the safest way to build immunity in children against COVID-19 before heading back to school.
Parents can book their child’s appointment through the Alberta vaccine booking system(Alberta.ca/vaccine), through a link on the AHS site (AHS.ca) or by calling Health Link at 811.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments also continue to be available for eligible Albertans through some local pharmacies, and physicians’ offices. Albertans are encouraged to contact pharmacies directly to inquire about availability of booster doses for five to 11-year-olds.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, should stay home and away from others until symptoms have improved. If you feel well enough to resume normal activities, and have been free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
While masking is no longer mandatory, those with underlying medical conditions may choose to wear a mask as an added layer of protection. As always, washing hands thoroughly continues to be an important step to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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