Banff 
Alberta has announced that starting Sept. 1, third doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be available for all seniors living in congregate care facilities and for immunocompromised Albertans.
The province is also offering additional mRNA doses to Albertans who are travelling to other countries that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses.
Announcing the third dose, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro said, “We remain committed to protecting Albertans from COVID-19, 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.”
Who is eligible for a third dose:
- Seniors living in congregate care facilities will be eligible to receive their third dose approximately five months after their second dose. Eligible residents will receive their third doses at their facilities.
- Individuals with compromised immune system who will qualify for an additional dose at least eight weeks after their second dose include:
- Transplant recipients, including solid organ transplants and hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
- Individuals with chronic kidney disease who are receiving regular dialysis.
- Individuals in active cancer treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies) excluding those receiving only hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
- Individuals on certain medications for autoimmune diseases, including rituximab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.
Alberta says 118,000 individuals will be eligible for an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose based on being immunocompromised (approximately 60,000 Albertans) and those living in seniors supportive living (approximately 58,000 Albertans).
Who will get additional doses for travel:
Albertans who are travelling to a jurisdiction that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses can receive additional doses at least 28 days after a second dose.
This means that Albertans who received a combination of AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna, can receive a third dose of vaccine to match the vaccine brand of Pfizer or Moderna or can choose two doses of Pfizer or Moderna if they received two doses of AstraZeneca.
Immunizations records are available through MyHealth Records. Albertans who are travelling can also use their hard copy record that was provided at the time of vaccination.
As of August 30th, 77.9 per cent of Albertans aged 12-plus have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 69.7 per cent have received two doses.
