Starting Sept. 1, third doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be available for all seniors living in congregate care facilities and for immunocompromised Albertans.

Alberta’s government has always prioritized the care of our most vulnerable. Alberta was one of the first provinces to offer vaccines to seniors in congregate care facilities and to immunocompromised Albertans.

Receiving a third dose will boost immunity levels and improve protection for all seniors living in congregate care facilities and individuals with compromised immune systems.

In addition, mRNA doses will be made available to Albertans who are travelling to a jurisdiction that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses.

“We remain committed to protecting Albertans from COVID-19, and vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to offer this protection. We have always relied on the latest research to guide our decision-making, and now that evidence shows immunocompromised individuals and seniors in congregate care will benefit from getting a third dose, we are pleased to provide them.”

“The data shows that additional doses will offer stronger protection for immunocompromised individuals and older Albertans living in supportive living facilities. Just as we offered these individuals earlier access to COVID-19 vaccines and a shorter four-week interval between doses, we will continue to work to protect all Albertans as new data emerges. However, the best way for us to protect each other is still for as many people as possible to be fully immunized.”

Seniors living in congregate care

Seniors living in congregate care facilities will be eligible to receive their third dose approximately five months after their second dose. Eligible residents will receive their third doses at their facilities.

Immunocompromising conditions

Immunocompromising conditions that qualify for an additional dose at least eight weeks after their second dose include:

• Transplant recipients, including solid organ transplants and hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
• Individuals with chronic kidney disease who are receiving regular dialysis.
• Individuals in active cancer treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies) excluding those receiving only hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
• Individuals on certain medications for autoimmune diseases, including rituximab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.

Travel vaccinations

Albertans with two valid doses of any vaccine used in Alberta are considered to have received a complete series.

However, some jurisdictions outside of Canada have indicated that they will not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses.

Additional mRNA doses will be made available at least 28 days after a second dose to Albertans who are travelling to a jurisdiction that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses.

Quick facts

• There are 118,000 individuals who would be eligible for an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose based on being immunocompromised (approximately 60,000 Albertans) and those living in seniors supportive living (approximately 58,000 Albertans).
• To date, 77.9 per cent of Albertans aged 12-plus have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 69.7 per cent have received two doses.
• Immunizations records are available through MyHealth Records. Albertans who are travelling can also use their hard copy record that was provided at the time of vaccination.