Think you’re not eligible for a free COVID shot in Alberta? Double check, experts urge
CBC
Health experts are urging Albertans to double check if they qualify for a free COVID-19 shot, warning the province’s controversial fall immunization campaign is sparking ongoing confusion.
The Alberta government has faced weeks of pushback for its decision to charge many people $100 for the shot.
And while the province is indeed an outlier in Canada – one of just two provinces opting to charge for the vaccine – people with a range of health conditions can potentially qualify for a publicly-funded dose.
“It was stressful to start with because initially … my husband and I thought that we would not be eligible,” said Calgary senior Mary Hodges.
“At $100 each, when you’re on a fixed income, you start to watch those pennies much more closely.”
Doctors and scientists say Alberta is diverging from National Advisory Committee on Immunization guidance, including a recommendation that all seniors be among the high-risk groups getting the shot.
After doing some research, Hodges found Alberta’s eligibility list published online, read through it thoroughly, and discovered that both she and her husband qualified.
“That was a relief,” said Hodges after getting her free flu and COVID shots.
“I do worry because you do have to read it very carefully to make sure you do fit, and I think it is stressful for a lot of people."
The Alberta government is providing the COVID vaccine for free to people with the following conditions:
In addition, health-care workers, teachers, people living in care homes or receiving home care, seniors on the Alberta Seniors Benefit and people experiencing homelessness are eligible for the provincially funded shot.
According to a statement from the provincial government, 150,187 COVID vaccine doses had been administered for free through the publicly funded program as of Nov. 1.
Alberta's respiratory virus dashboard shows a total of 183,880 doses had been given out at that time, which translates to 3.8 per cent of the population.
Depending on how the eligibility list is interpreted, a lot of Albertans could qualify, according to Edmonton emergency room physician Dr. Shazma Mithani.
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