Some Albertans face appointment cancellations for COVID vaccine just days after program launch

Less than a week into Alberta's COVID-19 immunization campaign, there are concerns the rollout isn't keeping up with demand.

The updated XBB.1.5 shots started going into arms on Monday, but a limit on vaccine distribution means some people are facing cancelled appointments.

Jessy Roos, a pregnant Calgarian and mother of four, was eager to get her updated COVID vaccine. She was worried about rising transmission rates.

"I especially don't want to put my baby at risk," Roos said.

She was booked into a Calgary pharmacy for an appointment on Friday but received a text the day before calling it off.

"It's really frustrating. It feels like it shouldn't be this difficult to take care of myself," she said.

"We love personal responsibility in this province and I'm trying to take all the personal responsibility to protect myself, and the process to do that is just unreasonably difficult at this point."

Alberta pharmacies are allowed to order only 100 doses a week, for now, according to Alberta Health.

At the Crowfoot Medicine Shoppe in northwest Calgary, pharmacist and owner Randy Howden says that's enough to last him about a day.

"Having to tell people that we don't have a vaccine for them has been very frustrating," said Howden, who is also president of the Alberta Pharmacists' Association.

"It would be really nice if there was a process in place where pharmacies could apply for additional vaccine doses and justify their needs and be able to get an extra allocation."

According to Howden, the impact of the cap will vary depending on the store.

"For busier pharmacies, it has a huge impact. Not having enough vaccine means we're not able to book as many appointments as we would like to to help meet the demand that's there in the community."

Calgary's Cambrian Pharmacy is busy, too.