Alberta government weighs future of COVID-19 vaccination as federal program winds down
CBC
The future of Alberta's COVID-19 vaccination program is unclear with federal funding set to end this summer.
Ottawa has been paying for the shots and distributing them across the country since they became available.
But the Public Health Agency of Canada quietly announced, last week, the provinces and territories will take over purchasing their own supply of COVID-19 vaccines.
"This approach is consistent with the approach for vaccines used in regular immunization programs," a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) spokesperson said in a statement emailed to CBC News.
"Provinces and territories will determine vaccine eligibility and the optimal timing for vaccination by considering factors such as the availability of updated vaccines and the trends associated with COVID-19 in their jurisdiction."
According to PHAC, there is enough supply of the federally funded vaccines to last through this spring. After that, provinces will be responsible for determining how many doses they want to order.
What that means for Albertans is unclear.
The provincial government is still working out its plan and appears to be undecided on the question of providing the vaccine — for free — to Albertans.
A spokesperson for the Health Minister told CBC News the province is reviewing the new recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), and Alberta Health is drafting policy options for consideration.
"We recognize there would be a significant cost associated with providing more provincially funded immunizations and as we look towards Budget 2025, Alberta's government is reviewing funding allocations across all ministries to ensure we are funding the priorities most important to Albertans," the health minister's office said in an email.
Edmonton-based infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Stephanie Smith, said it's difficult to predict what the province will do.
"COVID seems to be so politically fraught. When you look at influenza vaccination, it's available to everyone. It's free of charge," said Smith, who works at the University of Alberta Hospital.
"I think we should be thinking of it kind of like influenza."
She expects there will likely be some funding for COVID-19 vaccination in Alberta. But how much, and who will be eligible, are key questions, she said.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.