Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answers a question from the media during a meeting of Canada’s premiers in Huntsville, Ont., in July. Ms. Smith's province is the only one in the country to make many of its residents pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 shot.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Albertans who are not eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine this fall will have to pay $100 to get a shot, the province announced Friday as it outlined another change to its highly scrutinized immunization program.
Alberta will be the only province in the country to make most of its residents pay out of pocket to get immunized against COVID-19 this October. Health care workers, immunocompromised individuals, seniors in care homes or receiving home care, and people on income support will continue to be covered by the province. The $100 administrative fee applies to all other Albertans.
The government, in a press release, also said on Friday that the rollout will now happen in two phases, instead of four. Phase one appointments, which includes only people who are eligible for free shots, will begin Oct. 1. Phase two appointments, for the rest of the public, are expected to begin Oct. 20.
Alberta said this will streamline access to immunization.
Internal documents show how Alberta’s measles outbreak began to spiral out of control
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, said in a statement: “We are striking a balance between protecting vulnerable Albertans and preventing vaccine wastage. We remain committed to ensuring Albertans who are at a higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 have access to vaccines.”
The government has said that changes to its COVID-19 program were necessary when the responsibility shifted to provinces from the federal government for vaccine procurement. Alberta has said 54 per cent of the province’s COVID-19 inventory was discarded in the 2023-24 season.
The United Conservative Party government has faced opposition from health care experts and advocates, unions and the Opposition New Democratic Party for its new policy, which counters national immunization guidelines.
Earlier this week, the government reversed course on another aspect of its program, which was announced in June, by extending coverage to health care workers. The change was a result of bargaining by the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, a union that represents about 29,000 health care professionals.
Naheed Nenshi, Leader of the NDP, called on the UCP earlier on Friday to make COVID-19 vaccines free for all Albertans.
“Albertans deserve the same access to this vaccine that every other Canadian gets,” Mr. Nenshi said in a statement.
Albertans have been asked to preorder their COVID-19 vaccines through an online portal. Premier Danielle Smith said on Thursday that more than 100,000 Albertans have already done so.