The first community physicians are expected to begin administering COVID-19 vaccines in their clinics next month.
The province says Alberta Health has been working with the Alberta Medical Association so that community physicians can help distribute vaccines as supply ramps up.
There have been more than 500 expressions of interest from Alberta physicians and stand-alone clinics. The province says 185 physician clinics containing 1,100 physicians will create additional capacity for an estimated 14,000 daily doses, as supply allows.
Dr. Paul Boucher, president of the Alberta Medical Association, says family physicians who are able to participate “will make a substantial difference and enhance Alberta’s response to the pandemic.”
Interested physicians will be contacted to confirm interest and organize logistics for supply distribution and record management.
More details will be released in the coming days.
The province also says planning is underway for rapid flow clinics involving physicians and other health-care professionals that can be used in the future, if needed. The clinics would be used if Alberta received an unexpected surge in vaccine supply.
So far, Alberta has administered 368,124 doses of COVID-19 vaccine with 91,593 people fully immunized with two doses.
