Alberta COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Memo to: People we Support, Families, Guardians and Skills Society Employees
Re: Alberta COVID-19 Vaccine Update
From: Senior Leadership of Skills Society
March 5, 2021
Image of Dr. Deena Hinshaw with a quote by her that reads Please know widespread immunization will help us all return to a more normal way of life more quickly. Choosing to be immunized is one of the most important actions we can take for ourselves and our communities.
On March 4, 2021 the Government of Alberta announced the next phases of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. We are sharing the phases announced below and encourage people we support and employees who are eligible to book an appointment; family members and guardians of the people we support who are eligible are also encouraged to reach out to their loved one to book an appointment. Also ensure doctors are consulted where appropriate around conditions and whether physicians recommend a person served by Skills Society receive a vaccine.
Phase 2: AstraZeneca (Starting March 10)
As per the Government of Alberta COVID-19 Vaccine website, Albertans aged 50 to 64 who do not have a severe chronic illness can either:
Receive the AstraZeneca vaccine early, or
Wait until Phase 2D begins in May to get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine
Appointment bookings will open in stages by birth year, one year at a time:
Born in 1957: Starting March 10
Following years and dates will be announced based on supply
According to AHS, AstraZeneca has been proven to be highly effective in preventing serious illness and death in healthy adults 18 to 64. Eligible people we support and staff should consult their physician to get their opinion about receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Phase 2 Group A (Starting week of March 15)
People in Group A can receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Exact booking dates will be announced the week of March 15.
Albertans aged 65 to 74, booked in stages by birth year
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people aged 50 and older
Staff and residents of licensed supportive living (seniors) not included in Phase 1
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are prioritized for people most at risk of severe outcomes, due to limited supply.
How to book
There are three ways to book your first appointment once it’s your turn:
Call 811
Contact a participating pharmacy (Calgary, Edmonton or Red Deer)
For more information on Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine program visit alberta.ca/covid-19-vaccine.
Sign up to get notified when it’s your turn to be vaccinated
Image of a tweet by Skills Society in response to a tweet from Dr. Deena Hinshaw announcing that within the next 4 months all Albertans who want to be vaccinated will receive a first dose. Skills Society tweet reads Promising. Hopefully our vulnerable folks and all staff can receive the vaccine even sooner. We're still seeing cases even with strict measures in place to protect. Disability sector individuals and all staff need to be prioritized. Thank you.
Sign up to receive email updates when each group of Alberta’s phased COVID-19 vaccination program is announced here.
Skills Society has not received confirmation of when COVID-19 immunization for all the people we support and employees will happen. We continue to advocate that the people we support and all Skills employees have the choice to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Timelines for who is eligible to get vaccinated when are made by Health Authorities. Currently we have not been told what phase and/or group of the vaccine rollout our sector will be included in.