Table of contents

Overview

The Alberta Immunization Policy (AIP) contains a complete listing of publicly funded vaccines and biologicals, and indications for their use.

Immunization policy changes

The Alberta government has introduced new requirements that will standardize practices for all immunization providers, regardless of whether a vaccine is provincially funded or privately purchased

The Immunization Regulation:

  • requires health practitioners to report immunizations and assessments electronically to Alberta Health within a week – effective January 1, 2021
  • requires health practitioners to report adverse events following immunization to Alberta Health Services within 3 days of becoming aware – effective December 17, 2018
  • sets out requirements for the storage, handling and transportation of vaccines – effective December 17, 2018

The regulation will improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of Alberta’s immunization program and was supported by regulatory bodies and stakeholders involved in the consultative process.

Legislation

COVID-19 and immunization

Immunization is one of the most important public health measures used to protect the health of Albertans. It is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions.

Keeping your routine immunizations up-to-date is an important way you can help your community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This helps to protect your loved ones, vulnerable Albertans and reduce the burden on Alberta’s healthcare system.

Alberta Immunization Policy COVID-19 documents

Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and the Canadian National Vaccine Safety Network (CANVAS) are working together to monitor the safety of vaccines in both Alberta and beyond.  Albertans receiving the vaccine have the opportunity to be involved by participating in vaccine safety monitoring surveys after they have received their vaccine doses.

Resources for health care practitioners

AIP documents

All current AIP documents are hosted on Open Alberta

AIP updates

Introduction to AIP

General principles

History of immunization in Alberta

Vaccine codes

Immunization schedules

Biological products

Botulism

COVID-19

Diphtheria Antitoxin

dTap

dTap-IPV

DTaP-IPV-Hib

DTaP-IPV-Hib-HB

HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b)

Hepatitis A (HAV)

Hepatitis A and B (HABV)

Hepatitis B (HBV)

HPV

Immune Globulin (IG)

Influenza (Flu)

MMR

MMR-Varicella (MMR-Var)

Meningococcal

Pneumococcal

Polio

Rabies

Rotavirus

Td

Tuberculin

Typhoid

Varicella

Special situations for immunization

Vaccine storage and handling

Cold chain storage and handling

The Alberta Vaccine Storage and Handling Policy for Provincially Funded Vaccine provides vaccine cold chain storage and handling management guidelines for Alberta immunizers who provide publicly funded vaccine.

Procedure for Alberta Health Services (all community providers excluding pharmacy)

Information on how to report a temperature excursion (cold chain break) is included in the Alberta Health Services Standard for Vaccine Storage and Handling (PDF, 380 KB)

See the Immunization Regulation for specific timeline parameters for reporting of temperature excursions (cold chain breaks).

Product problem form

Use the publicly funded vaccine product form (PDF, 2.8 MB) to report vaccine products that are faulty when received or noticed at time of administration. Reportable issues include:

  • floaters or sludge in the vial
  • unsealed packaging
  • number of doses withdrawn from a multi-dose vial is fewer than the number of doses indicated on its label
  • broken vial
  • no label or an incorrect label
  • faulty syringes
  • white clip backstop is detached

Where possible, return the faulty product as outlined on the form.

Adverse events – immunization

The Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Policy for Alberta Immunization Providers document provides AEFI reporting guidance for Alberta immunizers. Data from AEFI reports contribute to provincial immunization program evaluation as well as to the national AEFI surveillance.

How to report an Adverse Event Following Immunization

The Immunization Regulation requires health practitioners to report adverse events following immunization for all vaccines (provincially or non-provincially funded) to Alberta Health Services within 3 days of becoming aware.

Read the Alberta Health Services information on how to report an adverse event following immunization.

Influenza immunization

Pharmacy immunization

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Immunization for 65 years of age and older

Pertussis immunization in pregnancy

Vaccine storage and handling procedure for pharmacy

In the event of a temperature excursion (cold chain break) for both provincially funded and privately purchased vaccine, contact the manufacturer for viability determination.

Refer to the Alberta Vaccine Storage and Handling Policy for Provincially Funded Vaccine for information on vaccine storage and handling.

Reporting adverse events following immunization

The Immunization Regulation requires health practitioners to report adverse events following immunization for all vaccines (provincially or non-provincially funded) to Alberta Health Services within 3 days of becoming aware.

Learn more on how to report an adverse event following immunization

Alberta Blue Cross Benefact website

Alberta Pharmacists’ Association Professional Development Courses

Imm/ARI data submission guidelines

Contact

For clarifications related to the Alberta Immunization Policy, contact:

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 780-422-6663