After months of speculation, the Alberta government has announced that they will make third doses available beginning September 1.
Citing a priority to protect the most vulnerable, the government says that receiving the third dose of mRNA vaccine will boost immunity levels and improve protection, particularly for seniors and the immunocompromised.
Our priority has always been the care of our most vulnerable. That's why, starting September 1, all seniors living in congregate care facilities and all immunocompromised Albertans will be eligible for a third COVID-19 vaccine dose. (1/5) #COVID19ABhttps://t.co/jtlLIfAK8p
— Tyler Shandro (@shandro) August 30, 2021
This comes after claims that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines would be 97 percent effective in preventing infections — a claim later found to be false and amended to 97 percent effective “against severe disease.”
Additional mRNA doses will also be made available to Albertans who were unfortunate enough to take the AstraZeneca vaccine — or mix doses of various vaccines — as many provinces and countries reject the vaccination status of those who have taken AstraZeneca.
“We remain committed to protecting Albertans from COVID-19,” Minister of Health Tyler Shandro said in a statement, “and vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to offer this protection.
“We have always relied on the latest research to guide our decision-making, and now that evidence shows immunocompromised individuals and seniors in congregate care will benefit from getting a third dose, we are pleased to provide them.”
According to the provincial government, seniors living in congregate care facilities will be eligible to receive their third dose approximately five months after their second, while the immunocompromised will be able to receive a third dose eight weeks after their second.
“The data shows that additional doses will offer stronger protection for immunocompromised individuals and older Albertans living in supportive living facilities,” Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health, said in a statement.
“Just as we offered these individuals earlier access to COVID-19 vaccines and a shorter four-week interval between doses, we will continue to work to protect all Albertans as new data emerges. However, the best way for us to protect each other is still for as many people as possible to be fully immunized.”
Those who need a third dose to travel after being misled to take AstraZeneca or mixing doses will be able to do so 28 days after their second.
So far, 77.9 percent of Albertans above the age of 12 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 69.7 percent have received two.
The Alberta government has yet to say whether they will be offering a fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth dose in the future.
