Alberta expands COVID-19 booster shot eligibility

The Omicron variant spread rapidly in Alberta over the weekend, going from 179 cases to 1,045 between the Friday and Monday updates.

The province says that while the severity of the Omicron variant is not yet known it is clear that there is an increased risk of transmission.

“Third doses are especially important to protect against the Omicron variant,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, in a release. “Vaccines continue to be our best protection against COVID-19 and with the highly transmissible Omicron variant, I encourage all eligible Albertans to book their first, second and third doses as soon as they are eligible.”

In the release, the province is encouraging Albertans to take the first mRNA vaccine available to them for a third dose. It adds both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines offer a high level of protection against COVID-19, particularly against severe outcomes.

“Pfizer will be offered to Albertans 18 to 29 years of age for booster purposes as a cautionary measure,” reads the release. “While there is a slightly increased risk of myocarditis in younger Albertans from Moderna, especially in males, individuals are much more likely to experience myocarditis from COVID-19 infection than the vaccine.”

On Thursday, Saskatchewan expanded the program to all residents over 18 years who are three months out from their second dose.

by Chris Brown

Alberta expands COVID-19 booster shot eligibility

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