Vaccinations continue around the province

By Leela Sharon Aheer Chestermere-Strathmore MLA

Starting April 27, vaccines will be offered to more than 15,000 workers at 136 federal and provincial plants across the province. And youth born in 2006-2009 (12-15) with underlying health conditions are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. A doctor’s note is required to book.

We’re getting vaccines to Albertans as quickly as supply from Ottawa comes. We continue to vaccinate those at the highest risk of severe outcomes first.  More than 2.3 million Albertans are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We hope to see supply keep up, as Alberta is on track to offer all Albertans over 18 their first dose by the end of June. 

Workers at meat packing plants are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks, and the nature of the work makes it extremely difficult to remain physically distanced. Workers at federal meat packing plants will get their shots through Primary Care Network clinics, at public health clinics, at local pharmacies or at AHS sites.

Businesses and service providers that want to access free rapid tests are no longer required to have a health care provider oversee their screening program. Any organization can apply for free rapid testing kits. Employers and service providers must have a screening program plan that outlines protocols for administering the tests, the use of personal protective equipment, and processes for reporting results and managing individuals who screen positive.

Rapid flow-through clinics administering vaccines is going strong in Calgary and Edmonton. 

Based on allocations from Ottawa, Alberta is now on pace to distribute more than 300,000 doses a week. Over 684,000 Albertans have now received at least one dose of vaccine, helping protect them from severe outcomes and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We’re doing everything in our power to get vaccines to Albertans as quickly as possible, and we are leading the country with the highest percentage of received doses administered. We can roll out whatever supply we receive; our only constraint is the delivery schedule from Ottawa.

I want to chat about paid leave for vaccinations. The leave is effective April 21. The COVID-19 Paid Vaccine Leave program is intended for working Albertans who need to book appointments to receive their COVID-19 vaccine during work hours. Eligible Albertans can take up to three hours of paid leave per vaccine. It is important to note that it is just for the company employee, and Albertans cannot take time off through this program to take family members or friends for their vaccines.

I am hopeful that we will get to celebrate some summer festivals this summer. As you know so far, the Strathmore Stampede has said that it is going ahead with its rodeo from July 30 to Aug. 2. I am so thrilled that this important cultural event that also benefits our local economy is returning. Organizations planning on hosting these festivals will be working closely with AHS and local health and safety officials to ensure that all public health protocols will be in place. All ticket holders will be expected to follow AHS guidelines. 

We are so close to the finish line with this, and I encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to do so; that way, we can have the best summer ever.

As always, we love to hear from you.

(Leela Sharon Aheer is the MLA Elect for Chestermere-Strathmore, Minister of Status of Women and Minister of Culture and Multiculturalism)