COVID vaccine strategy impacts yet to be realized
By Lethbridge Herald on July 9, 2025.
Alejandra-Pulido Guzman
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
After changes to the federal COVID-19 vaccine procurement process were announced earlier this year, and the Alberta government announcing last month that the vaccine will no longer be funded, Alberta Lung has raised the alarm on how that will affect Albertans living with chronic lung diseases like Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis and COPD, and it is advocating for a reverse course of action from the government. Â
Even though the provincial government announced that it is still committed to ensuring Albertans who are at highest risk have access to immunizations, health promotion coordinator with Alberta Lung, Jamie Happy says there are too many unknowns.Â
“We don’t know what the list of chronic conditions are that will be covered, it neglects those that care for loved ones, as well as those working in healthcare, especially front-line workers like nurses,” says Happy.Â
In their announcement, the provincial government highlighted that in the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, a total of just over one million COVID-19 vaccines were wasted, which translated to an estimated cost of about $135-million worth of vaccines were never used and were discarded.
But Alberta Lung explains that it is more cost effective to have the vaccine available to those who need it and therefore, they want to make sure the vaccine remains funded by the government.Â
“It’s an evidence-based cost-effective public health tool. For very dollar we spend on vaccines, we save between $8 to $45 in avoiding healthcare cost and economic loss, especially for those with lung disease,” says Happy.Â
She said those with lung disease are at high risk of complications from COVID-19 and evidence shows that the cost is disproportionately high for them, especially long term.Â
“With this vaccination not being publicly funded, a huge portion of the population is no longer covered, and it undermines decades of progress that we have made in immunization,” says Happy.Â
She explains that one in five Albertans lives with lung disease and will be dealing with an undue burden of health if this vaccine is no longer publicly funded.Â
Happy adds that the phasing out of the vaccine will also worsen hospital waits and emergency room capacities, as those with lung disease who can’t afford the vaccine and suffer from complications begin to visit hospitals across the province.Â
“So for those who can’t afford the vaccine, they will eventually be forced to chose between interacting with others and their health as the risk will be too high, as if they get sick, they have a much higher risk of long-term lung exacerbation, and hospitalization,” says Happy.Â
She adds that another risk they will have to weight in, is the long-term effects of hospitalization due to COVID-19, as this can result in a more severe condition like worsen asthma that does not get better and therefore impacting their everyday life.Â
According to the Alberta government website, this 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.
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.
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 like AISH, income supports, and individuals experiencing homelessness.Â
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.
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.
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.
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.Â
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.Â
When individuals book their immunization appointment for fall/winter 2025-26, they can also pre-order their vaccine for 2026-27.
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