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Get vaccinated. It's safe and easy.

COVID-19 vaccines help prevent you from getting infected and protect you from getting severely sick if you do get it. All vaccines are safe, effective and save lives.

Albertans are being vaccinated in phases so people most at risk get it first. More groups will be added as we get more doses. Find out who's eligible now.

Until most Albertans are protected, fully vaccinated people must still follow all health measures: no indoor gatherings, keep 2 metres apart, wear a mask in public, and stay home when sick.

Progress to date

As of April 15:

  • 1,082,391 doses administered
  • 24,211 doses per 100,000 population
  • 211,667 Albertans fully immunized (2 doses)
  • 224 adverse events following immunization reported (learn about vaccine safety)

Book your free shot

When it's your turn, book using the method that is accepting appointments for your phase. Do not try booking in advance. Only book once.

NEW! Accepting walk-ins for AstraZeneca at 26 pharmacies in Calgary and Edmonton, and at walk-in clinics starting April 17.

Vaccines available at participating pharmacies. No walk-ins unless stated.
Who's eligible now How to book
Ages 55+ (AstraZeneca) Pharmacy (appointments & walk-ins)
Clinics in Calgary & Edmonton (online, 811)
Ages 65+ (Phases 1 & 2A) Pharmacy | AHS online | Call 811
First Nations Ages 50+ (1 & 2A) Pharmacy | AHS online | Call 811 | On-reserve
Ages 16+ with health conditions (2B) Pharmacy | AHS online | Call 811
Front-line health workers (2C) Pharmacy | AHS online | Call 811
Sign up, Show up, Follow up

Phases

Everyone who wants a vaccine, will get a vaccine. But you may have to wait until people most at risk get vaccinated first.

Review the phases to find out when it's your turn. Exact timelines will depend on vaccine supply. Sign up to be notified of changes.

  • Early Phase: December 2020

    Vaccinations were offered to key populations, with a focus on acute care sites with the highest COVID-19 capacity concerns in Edmonton and Calgary:

    • Health-care workers in intensive care units
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Staff in long term care and designated supportive living facilities
  • Phase 1: Started January

    Vaccinations are being offered to key populations across the province:

    • Seniors born in 1946 or earlier (turning 75+), no matter where they live:
      • AHS will vaccinate residents in retirement centres, lodges, supportive living, and other congregate living facilities with people 75 or older
      • Albertans 75+ can book an appointment online, call Health Link 811, or contact a participating pharmacy
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Health-care workers in intensive care units
    • Health-care workers in emergency departments
    • Health-care workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units, and operating rooms
    • Paramedics and emergency medical responders
    • Staff in long term care and designated supportive living facilities
    • Home care workers
    • All residents of long term care and designated supportive living, regardless of age
    • First Nations, Inuit and Métis persons born in 1956 or earlier (turning 65+)  living in a First Nations community or Metis Settlement
  • Phase 2A: Started March 15

    Who's eligible in Group A

    • Albertans born 1947 to 1956 (turning 65 to 74), no matter where they live
    • First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) people born 1971 or earlier (turning 50+), no matter where they live
    • Staff and residents of licensed seniors supportive living facilities not included in Phase 1

    How to book

  • Phase 2B: Started March 30

    Who's eligible in Group B

    • Albertans born 2005 to 1957 (16 to 64) with eligible high-risk underlying health conditions.

    How to book

    Eligible health conditions

    • Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen (a missing spleen or a spleen that is no longer working)
    • Cancer (anyone with a new diagnosis of or treatment for all forms of cancer in the last year, except non-invasive skin cancer)
    • Chronic heart disease and vascular disease:
      • Including: congenital heart disease, chronic heart failure, heart or kidney disease from high blood pressure, and a history of a stroke
      • Not including: high blood pressure alone
    • Chronic kidney diseases requiring regular medical monitoring or treatment
    • Chronic Liver disease due to any cause (for example: cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and hemochromatosis)
    • Chronic neurological disease (for example: epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, MS, muscular dystrophy and dementia)
    • Chronic respiratory (lung) diseases:
      • Including: COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and severe asthma that required an asthma-related emergency department visit or hospital admission in the past year
      • Not including: mild or well-controlled asthma
    • Diabetes requiring insulin or other anti-diabetic medication to control
    • Immunosuppression: a weakened immune response due to disease or treatment, including:
      • anyone undergoing chemotherapy or treatment for HIV, genetic disorders of the immune system
      • people receiving long-term medical treatment to control severe inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus
    • Pregnancy: anyone who is currently pregnant
    • Severe mental Illness or substance use disorder requiring a hospital stay during the past year (for example: schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders and others)
    • Severe obesity: a Body Mass Index of 40 kg/m2 or more
    • Severe or profound learning disabilities or severe developmental delay:
      • Including: individuals with Down syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder and others
      • Not including: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Solid organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients

    Detailed clinical breakdown of these conditions and who is eligible (PDF, 410 KB)

    Confirming eligibility

    • A doctor’s or pharmacist’s note is not required to get the vaccine. However, you may want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to help you understand if your condition is on this list.
  • Phase 2C: Started April 12

    Starting April 12, part of Group C can book their appointment. The rest of Group C will become eligible in the coming weeks.

    Who's eligible in Group C now

    • 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.
    • Healthcare workers on First Nation reserves and Metis Settlements.

    See the full list of eligible healthcare workers (PDF, 227KB)

    How to book

    Bring proof of eligibility and employment to your appointment (see below for details).

    Who will be eligible in coming weeks

    • 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, meatpacking 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 2 caregivers for children under 16 who have an eligible chronic condition but are unable to receive vaccine due to age.

    Confirming eligibility

    • Healthcare workers are required to bring the following to their vaccine appointment:
      • Proof of eligibility, such as personal ID that shows birthdate
      • Proof of employment or professional registration, such as employee ID card, letter of employment or placement
    • Staff who work in community practices will be notified of their eligibility through their employer, regulatory college or professional association.
  • Phase 2 (AstraZeneca): Started April 6

    Who's eligible for AstraZeneca

    Albertans ages 55 and older.

    How to book

    AstraZeneca is a safe vaccine proven highly effective in preventing serious illness and death.

    Eligible Albertans in this phase can choose to wait to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to be available to them when Phase 2D opens in May. People with serious chronic health conditions may want to consult their doctor first.

  • Phase 2D: May

    Phase 2 is broken into 4 groups. Vaccinations for Group D will begin once Group C has been completed. Timelines are subject to change depending on supply. Details on how to get the vaccine will be released prior to each group.

    Group D

    • Albertans born 1957 to 1971 (turning 50 to 64).
    • First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) persons born 1972 to 1986 (turning 35 to 49), no matter where they live.

    Work to identify sequencing for all other groups is underway.

  • Phase 3: May to June

    Anticipated start of roll-out of the vaccine to the general public.

After your vaccine

  • Follow up: Second dose

    After receiving your first dose, you’re eligible for your second dose of the:

    • Pfizer or Moderna vaccine 4 months later
    • AstraZeneca vaccine 3 months later

    Contact your pharmacy or AHS closer to your eligibility date to book your next appointment. Do not try booking in advance.

    Results show the first dose is at least 80% effective in preventing severe illness. The second dose ensures you’re protected for as long as possible.

    Second doses are being administered up to 4 months later so all Albertans over 18 can be protected with the first dose by the end of June. This change is in line with many other jurisdictions.

  • Rules for fully vaccinated people

    Until most Albertans are protected, fully vaccinated people must continue following all public health measures: no indoor social gatherings, keep 2 metres apart from others, wear a mask in public, wash your hands, and stay home when sick.

    Once both doses take effect, you are less likely to become severely sick with COVID-19. But we don’t yet know if the vaccine prevents vaccinated people from spreading the virus.

    We must continue reviewing emerging evidence on asymptomatic and variant transmission before we can safely alter public health guidelines.

    We will let Albertans know when rules for fully vaccinated people can be changed.

  • Immunization records

    You will receive an immunization record at your vaccination appointment.

    You can also access immunization records on MyHealth Records.

Not your turn?

Sign up to be notified when it is your turn. You'll get an email when each phase is announced, and we'll let you know about timeline changes.

Need a ride?

Isolated seniors and those with mobility challenges can get a ride to and from their vaccination appointment. Call 211 for help.

Need translated info?

Translated vaccine info is available in عربي, 中文, हिंदी, 한국어, فارسی, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Af-Soomaali, Español, Français, Tagalog, Tiếng Việt and اردو.

Who should get vaccinated

Every Albertan who can get vaccinated, should get vaccinated.

Vaccines make our immune systems stronger by building antibodies to help prevent and fight off diseases. Because COVID-19 is a new virus, no one has natural immunity. It is much safer and more effective to get immunized than it is to get infected.

Get vaccinated

  • Albertans 16 and older
  • Recovered from COVID-19

Consult doctor first

  • If you have questions about the vaccine or your health conditions

Don't get vaccinated

Get the facts

Canada has one of the most robust vaccine approval processes in the world. Any adverse effects have been minimal.

The COVID-19 vaccines meet high national requirements. They are safe and vital.

Seniors are at a higher risk from COVID-19. Vaccines help your immune system and fight off disease.

COVID-19 vaccines are for young and healthy people, too. They can protect you and those around you.

All approved vaccines effectively prevent serious illness and death.

Get vaccinated as soon as you can, no matter what vaccine is provided.

About the vaccines

All approved vaccines are safe, effective and will help prevent serious illness. You're encouraged to review current evidence to make an informed decision about your health.

  • AstraZeneca (COVISHIELD) vaccine

    The AstraZeneca (COVISHIELD) vaccine is proven highly effective in preventing serious illness and death in adults. It's a good choice for people age 55 and older who are at-risk of severe outcomes and would benefit from getting vaccinated sooner.

    Who should get it

    • Recommended for people 55 and older.
      • People with serious chronic health conditions may want to consult their health care provider first.
      • Eligible Albertans can choose to wait until their assigned phase to receive a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine instead.

    Who shouldn't get it

    • Not currently recommended for people under 55, as a precautionary measure at this time.

    Effectiveness

    • Reduces infection by 60-70% and hospitalizations by 80%.
    • May be less effective preventing spread to others, but evidence is still emerging.

    How it works

    • Uses a viral-based vector, a harmless common cold adenovirus, to teach the immune system how to recognize and fight the real virus. It does not use the virus that causes COVID-19.

    Possible side effects

    • Pain at injection site, body chills, feeling tired or feverish are common.
    • Allergic reactions are rare. As with any medication, you should contact your health care provider if you experience any health concerns.
    • Rare instances of blood clots are under investigation in Europe. These are rare and treatable.
      • To date, only one Canadian case has been reported in Quebec.
      • The currently reported frequency of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine ranges from 1 in 25,000 doses in Norway to 1 in 1 million doses in the UK.
  • Moderna and Pfizer vaccines

    The Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech vaccines are proven highly effective in preventing serious illness and death.

    Who should get it

    • Moderna is approved for people 18 and over
    • Pfizer BioNTech is approved for people 16 and over
    • Due to limited supply, these vaccines are prioritized for people most at risk for severe illness

    Who shouldn't get it

    • Anyone who is pregnant, has an autoimmune disorder or is immunocompromised should consult a doctor first.
    • Effectiveness in younger people has not yet been established.

    Effectiveness

    • Prevents severe illness and death by 80-90%.

    How it works

    • Uses mRNA technology to teach cells how to make a protein to trigger an immune response and make antibodies to fight the real virus. It does not alter your DNA.

    Possible side effects

    • Pain at injection site, body chills, feeling tired or feverish are common.
    • Allergic reactions are rare.
    • No major safety concerns have been identified.
  • What's the difference?

    All 3 vaccines help our bodies learn how to protect us against future infection from the virus that causes COVID-19, but use a different mechanism to get the attention of the immune system:

    • AstraZeneca uses a viral vector vaccine, a harmless common cold adenovirus, to teach immune system how to recognize and fight the real virus. It does not use the virus that causes COVID-19.
    • Moderna and Pfizer use a mRNA technology to teach cells how to make a protein to trigger an immune response and make antibodies to fight the real virus. It does not alter your DNA.

    While all 3 vaccines are highly effective, Moderna and Pfizer appear to be slightly more effective than AstraZeneca:

    • Moderna and Pfizer are 80-90% effective in preventing severe illness and death
    • AstraZeneca is about 60-70% effective in reducing infection and 80% effective in preventing severe illness and death. It may be less effective preventing spread to others, but evidence is still emerging.

    At this time:

    • AstraZeneca is recommended for people under 64 who are less at risk of developing severe illness.
    • Moderna and Pfizer are being prioritized for people most at risk of severe outcomes, due to limited supply.

Vaccine safety

Thanks to worldwide collaboration, COVID-19 vaccines were developed quickly without compromising safety. Every approved vaccine has met Health Canada's strict standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.

Approved vaccines

Vaccines approved by Health Canada:

Info for Albertans

Sign up for notifications

Sign up to get notified when each phase is announced and when there are timeline changes. This is not a registration to receive the vaccine.

All fields are required unless otherwise indicated.

The personal information collected through the COVID-19 status notification subscription form may be used for the purpose of providing you with COVID-19 status updates.

This personal information collection is authorized under section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act.

If you have any questions about this collection of personal information, you may contact Director, Alberta.ca at:

Director, Alberta.ca
10th Floor, 108 Street Building
9942 108 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2J5