By Chris Brown

Two groups eligible

AstraZeneca vaccine appointments available starting tomorrow

Mar 9, 2021 | 4:19 PM

More Albertans will be able to book COVID-19 immunizations beginning Wednesday morning.

Two groups will be able to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine at this time.

Albertans born in 1957 will be able to book an immunization appointment using the AHS online booking tool, and by calling Health Link at 811. All First Nations, Métis and Inuit born in 1972 will be able to book an immunization appointment only by calling 811.

In a release, Alberta Health Services says Covishield is the vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India, and considered equivalent to AstraZeneca. This vaccine was recently approved by Health Canada.

Pending vaccine supply, Albertans born in 1958-1971 will be offered a chance to book in the coming days, rolling one birth year at a time.

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Alberta Health is recommending Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine for Albertans 18 to 64 without a contraindication such as a severe reaction to a vaccine ingredient.

Those in the target age group can choose if they would like to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine now or wait until their sequenced phase to receive one of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna).

Additional information will be provided in the coming days about who will be included and the timing of phases 2B and 2C of the vaccine rollout. Individuals potentially belonging to those phases, including healthcare workers, can still choose to receive Covishield/AstraZeneca if eligible and they would prefer to be immunized sooner.

Like all of the vaccines currently approved for use in Canada, the Covidshield/AstraZeneca vaccine has proven to be highly effective in preventing serious illness and death in adults 18-64. It is provided in a two-dose regime, given approximately 16 weeks apart.

AHS encourages all Albertans eligible to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine to speak with their health-care provider as they consider options. For more information on the different vaccines and eligibility timelines, please visit ahs.ca/vaccine or alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine