Due to changes to the federal COVID-19 vaccine procurement process earlier this year, provinces and territories are now responsible for purchasing COVID-19 vaccines for residents. Alberta’s government remains committed to ensuring Albertans who are at highest risk due to COVID-19 have access to immunizations.
Starting this fall, Albertans who are at a higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 will be able to access the vaccine through public health clinics in the province.
“In previous years, we’ve seen significant vaccine wastage. By shifting to a targeted approach and introducing pre-ordering, we aim to better align supply with demand – ensuring we remain fiscally responsible while continuing to protect those at highest risk.”
In the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, a total of just over one million COVID-19 vaccines were wasted, or 54 per cent of Alberta’s order that year. Based on the Center for Disease Control costing estimates of $110 per vaccine dose, this means that about $135-million worth of vaccines were never used and were discarded.
Now that Alberta’s government is responsible for procuring vaccines, it’s important to better determine how many vaccines are needed to support efforts to minimize waste and control costs.
This new approach will ensure Alberta’s government is able to better determine its overall COVID-19 vaccine needs in the coming years, preventing significant waste.
In the fall, the COVID-19 vaccine program will be rolled out in four phases, beginning with the highest-risk groups and gradually expanding to include more Albertans over time.
Phase 1:
Through Phase 1, provincially funded COVD-19 vaccines will be available free of charge to residents of seniors supportive living accommodations and home care clients.
Phase 2:
Through phases two, three and four, to prevent significant waste, the COVID-19 vaccine will only be available through public health clinics. Community pharmacies will no longer be administering COVID-19 vaccines.
In Phase 2, provincially funded COVID-19 vaccines will be available free of charge for:
- Those six months and older with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, or in congregate living accommodations.
- Albertans on social programs (i.e. AISH, income supports, and individuals experiencing homelessness)
Phase 3:
Through Phase 3, the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all Albertans 65 years and older. Albertans in Phase 3 will be required to cover the full costs of the vaccine. Work is underway to determine what the final cost will be per vaccine.
Phase 4:
Through Phase 4, remaining COVID-19 vaccines will be available to other Albertans who will be required to pay the full costs of the vaccine.
Starting Aug. 11, eligible Albertans will be able to signal their intent to receive the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines by pre-ordering through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System. Following the pre-order, Albertans will receive a reminder notification via text message or email prompting them to book their immunization appointment in early October. When individuals book their immunization appointment for fall/winter 2025-26, they can also pre-order their vaccine for 2026-27.
It is recommended Albertans talk to their primary care provider to determine what is the best course of action for their needs.
Quick facts
- Recently, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States stopped recommending routine COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children.
- As of April 1, Alberta has taken over the responsibility for procuring and funding COVID-19 vaccines for the province.
- Alberta will begin procuring COVID-19 vaccines annually through the National Bulk Purchasing Program.
- For the 2025-26 season, approximately 485,000 doses have been ordered to support the targeted COVID-19 immunization program.
- Based on the Center for Disease Control costing estimates of $110 per vaccine dose, the cost to taxpayers for the COVID-19 vaccine should not exceed $49 million, much of which will be offset through cost recovery in phases 3 and 4. The actual cost per dose and for the program is yet to be determined.
- Estimated budget costs for the 2025-26 season are approximately $2 million for RSV and $19 million for influenza.