Alberta outlines next phases of vaccine rollout as 364 new COVID-19 cases reported

Mar 15 2021, 11:19 pm

The province announced that over one million Albertans will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in the next phases of vaccine rollout during a news briefing Monday afternoon.

Currently, Alberta is in Phase 2A. This includes those born between 1947 and 1956, or First Nations, Inuit, and Métis born in 1971 or earlier.

Participating pharmacies are now taking appointments for all Phase 2A age groups, while bookings through AHS are rolling out bookings by birth year.

Phase 2B will see over 660,000 additional Albertans become eligible to receive the vaccine. This phase includes individuals born 2005 to 1957 with a high-risk underlying health condition.

Health conditions include chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, pregnancy, severe mental illness, and severe obesity, among others. A complete list of applicable health conditions can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, noted that Albertans do not need proof of their medical condition to get the vaccine, however, individuals may want to consult their healthcare provider before booking their appointment.

Phase 2C opens up eligibility to 400,000 additional people, including residents and support staff at shared living facilities, caregivers of those who are most at risk of severe outcomes, healthcare workers working in patient care facilities or providing direct patient care, and more.

A complete list of eligible workers and caregivers can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website.

Phases 2B and 2C are expected to begin in April.

Also on Monday, Hinshaw announced that 364 new COVID-19 cases were discovered in the last 24 hours.

There are now 4,811 active cases in Alberta. 255 people are in hospital due to the virus, including 42 individuals in intensive care.

Hinshaw also noted that three additional deaths related to the virus were reported in the past 24 hours.

65 additional cases of variants of concern have been identified, bringing the province’s total to 967.

As of March 14, 368,124 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and 91,593 Albertans have been fully immunized with two doses.

Hinshaw will provide another update on Tuesday, March 16.

Elle McLeanElle McLean

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