The feeling of optimism and hope is growing in Alberta.
Starting on Wednesday (Feb. 24) Alberta seniors who turn 75 years old this year can begin booking their appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine through Health Link 811. The vaccine is received in two doses, given five to six weeks apart.
Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said 58 sites will be set up across the province to help deliver the vaccines.
Under Phase 1B of the province’s vaccine rollout, anyone born in 1946 or earlier can receive the vaccine and First Nations and Metis residents who are 65 or older are also eligible.
As of Tuesday (Feb. 23) 180,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the province — This includes more than 73,000 people who have been immunized with two doses.
The vaccine rollout in Alberta has not gone as smoothly as many of us hoped— Largely because we faced weeks of delays in shipments of the much-needed vaccine.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney acknowledged the vaccine distribution may be frustrating to some Albertans, as the province has been forced to make difficult decisions due to the limited number of vaccines available.
Because of the limited doses received by Alberta, the province has created a path to vaccination focussed on protecting the most vulnerable first.
Since early December health care workers in intensive care units, respiratory therapists and staff in long-term care facilities have received the vaccine. They were soon joined by other health care workers, home care workers and long-term care residents.
Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout is expected to begin in April and run until September. In that time Albertans aged 65 to 74, staff and residents of licensed supportive living, Albertans aged 18 to 64 with underlying high-risk health conditions, congregate living residents and staff and Albertans aged 50 to 64 will join the legions of those who have been immunized.
The general public is expected to begin receiving the vaccine in the fall.
At this time, it appears the tide is beginning to turn on COVID-19 as vaccine distribution in Alberta gains momentum.
As the vaccine rollout ramps up in Alberta, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic our lives will gradually become more normal.
Each dose distributed marks one step closer to our town, province and country achieving herd immunity to COVID-19.
Until we reach the point that the majority of the population has received the vaccine, it remains the responsibility of all Canadians to continue to follow public health measures.
Each time we choose to follow public health measures we are helping to ensure our province can stay the course of gradually reopening, while at the same time protecting our most vulnerable community members.
It has been a long and arduous year, but there is a light in the tunnel.
As we patiently wait for our turn to receive the life-changing vaccine, we need to remain focussed on fostering cautious optimism and kindness in our communities.
The only way to secure a return to a semblance of normal life is through the actions we choose each and every day.
