CALGARY — The Alberta government has announced that residents who are required to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine this fall will incur a fee of $100. This decision is part of a two-phase plan that allows certain groups to receive the vaccine at no cost while others will need to pay.

Appointments for those eligible for free vaccinations, including health-care workers, some seniors, and individuals with specific underlying health conditions, will begin on October 1. Conditions qualifying for a free vaccine include pregnancy, obesity, mental health disorders, heart conditions, lung conditions, diabetes, and HIV. However, the online criteria do not specifically mention First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities as prioritized groups.

For the rest of the population, appointments will be available starting three weeks after the initial rollout, but they will be required to pay the $100 administration fee. This update follows a previous announcement made two months ago, indicating that residents would need to pay out-of-pocket for the vaccine due to a shift in vaccine procurement responsibilities from federal authorities to the provinces.

Premier Danielle Smith's government has faced criticism for this decision, but she argues it is necessary to prevent significant waste of vaccine doses. The government estimates that approximately 401,000 doses went unused last year, costing an estimated $44 million. "We’ll try it this way. This year, we are trying to mitigate costs because it is an expensive intervention," Smith stated. She added, "We don’t pay for the RSV shot … so we’re just trying to align our approach on COVID with the same approach we’re taking on RSV.”

Public health experts have labeled Alberta's COVID-19 strategy as irresponsible, warning that it may create additional barriers to vaccination. The province has already modified its vaccine policy, which initially required health-care workers to pay for the shot. Smith noted that changes were made in response to union demands during negotiations.

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has called for universal coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine, stating, "Albertans deserve the same access to this vaccine that every other Canadian gets."

Additionally, the province has altered its distribution method for vaccines. Pharmacies will no longer receive supplies, and residents must obtain their COVID-19 shots at public health clinics.

In neighboring British Columbia, officials have stated that those who do not qualify for a free shot in Alberta can travel to B.C. for vaccination. B.C. residents will be prioritized, and non-residents may face a wait of several weeks for an appointment. Pharmacists in B.C. are also unable to immunize non-residents.

Further east, the Manitoba government has announced that out-of-province visitors can receive their vaccine free of charge. The Saskatchewan government has not yet confirmed whether it will offer free vaccinations to Albertans as its fall immunization plans are still being developed. Residents of Lloydminster, which lies on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, can access the publicly funded vaccine.

Alberta residents can preorder their COVID-19 vaccine online until September 30, where they can also preorder the flu vaccine, which remains publicly covered. Those who do not preorder will still have the opportunity to book a vaccination appointment when they become available in October.