Vaccine rollout expanding to front-line health-care workers
2021-04-10

As part of Phase 2C of Alberta’s vaccine rollout, nurses, doctors, dentists and any health-care workers in patient care facilities or providing direct patient care in the community will receive the vaccine. This will help prevent COVID-19 from spreading to patients and people at highest risk of severe outcomes.

Due to limited vaccine supply, all other groups in Phase 2C will become eligible in the coming weeks.

More than 1.7 million Albertans will now be eligible to book the COVID-19 vaccine under Alberta’s vaccine rollout.

“I am very pleased to be able to offer COVID-19 vaccines to the thousands of health-care workers and associated staff who have been doing their part to keep Albertans healthy during the pandemic. The more people we are able to immunize, the safer our province will be, and the sooner we will recover.”

Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta

“By protecting health-care workers, we are helping protect the vulnerable Albertans that they care for every day. This is another step forward as we continue to administer the vaccines as quickly as we receive them, always aiming to protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19 infection first. I strongly encourage the 1.7 million Albertans who are currently eligible to book their appointment as soon as possible.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health

Starting April 12, the following groups of health-care workers age 18 and older can begin booking appointments for the vaccine:

  • Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and all other health-care professionals and their office or support staff who provide in-person, direct patient care.
  • Individuals working in patient care facilities or providing services directly to clients in the community for Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, Alberta Precision Labs, DynaLife, and students undertaking placement practicums in clinical areas.
  • Health-care workers on First Nation reserves and Metis Settlements.

Appointments can be booked through participating pharmacies or through Alberta Health Services at 811 or online.

Health-care workers will need to provide proof of eligibility, such as personal identification that shows the individual’s birthdate, and proof of employment or professional registration upon arrival at immunization appointments.

All other groups listed in Phase 2C will become eligible in the coming weeks. More information will be shared as each group becomes eligible to book appointments.

Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health-care system.

Quick facts

  • Health-care workers eligible in Phase 2C to book appointments now are:
    • Acupuncturists
    • Addictions counsellors
    • Audiologists
    • Child and youth care counsellors
    • Chiropractors
    • Combined laboratory and X-ray technologists
    • Counselling therapists
    • Dental assistants
    • Dental hygienists
    • Dental technologists/technicians
    • Dentists
    • Denturists
    • Environmental public health
    • Health-care aides
    • Health-care compliance
    • Hearing aid practitioners
    • Massage therapists
    • MDTT - Electroneurophysiology technologists
    • MDTT - Magnetic resonance technologists
    • MDTT - Nuclear medicine technologists
    • MDTT - Radiation therapists
    • MDTT - Radiological technologists
    • Medical laboratory technologists
    • Midwives
    • Naturopaths
    • Nursing - Licensed practical nurses
    • Nursing - Nurse practitioners
    • Nursing - Registered nurses
    • Nursing - Registered psychiatric nurses
    • Occupational therapists
    • Opticians
    • Optometrists
    • Orthotists and prosthetists
    • Paramedics - Emergency medical responders
    • Paramedics - Primary care paramedics
    • Paramedics - Advanced care paramedics
    • Pharmacists
    • Pharmacy technicians
    • Physician assistants
    • Physicians
    • Physiotherapists
    • Podiatrists
    • Psychologists
    • Registered dieticians
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Social workers
    • Speech-language pathologists
  • Appointments can be booked through participating pharmacies or through AHS.
  • Staff who work in community practices will be notified through their employer as well as their regulatory colleges or professional associations about their eligibility. 
  • Upon arrival at immunization appointments, eligible health-care workers will be required to provide:
    • Proof of eligibility, such as personal identification that shows the individual’s birthdate
    • Proof of employment or professional registration, such as an employee ID card, letter of employment or placement
  • Albertans eligible for vaccinations in later stages of Phase 2C include:
    • Residents and support staff at eligible congregate living and work settings at risk for large outbreaks, including: correctional facilities, front-line policing and provincial sheriffs, homeless shelters, meat-packing plants, and group homes for disability, mental health and other types of licensed supportive living.
    • Caregivers of Albertans who are most at risk of severe outcomes:
      • All designated family/support people of those individuals in long-term care, designated supportive living and licensed supportive living facilities.
      • Up to two caregivers for children under 16 years of age who have an eligible chronic condition but are unable to receive vaccine due to age.
  • Anyone eligible in Phase 1, 2A or 2B of Alberta’s vaccine rollout who hasn’t yet received the vaccine can continue to book their appointment through a participating pharmacy or AHS.
  • All Albertans aged 55 to 64 can also book appointments to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
  • As of April 8, 818,689 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Alberta.