US EditionAlberta Limiting Free Vaccines: Union Asking Smith to Reverse Course
- A union representing 30,000 Alberta health-care workers called on Premier Danielle Smith's government to reverse its policy requiring most Albertans to pay for COVID-19 vaccines starting August 11.
- Last week, the government revealed a new policy to offer free COVID-19 vaccines exclusively to high-risk groups, aiming to minimize dose waste, recoup expenses, and ensure those most vulnerable receive the vaccine, while the majority of residents will now be required to pay for their own shots.
- Critics including health unions, doctors, and Friends of Medicare argue the policy is dangerous, will increase health-care costs, and limit vaccine access, risking vulnerable Albertans and health-care worker safety.
- Last season, over one million COVID-19 vaccines—accounting for 54% of the province’s supply and valued at $135 million—were discarded, leading the government to implement a pre-order process for vaccinations using Alberta’s online scheduling platform.
- This policy likely risks public health amid measles spikes and low vaccination rates, as health leaders say vaccines remain essential to protecting patients and reducing hospitalizations across Alberta’s 4.8 million residents.
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Health-care union calls for Alberta government to halt plan to limit free vaccines
A union representing 30,000 health-care workers in Alberta is calling on Premier Danielle Smith’s government to reverse course and provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all front-line workers and any other Albertan who wants the shot.
·Toronto, Canada
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Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
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- 50% of the sources lean Left
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L 50%
C 38%
13%
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