'An important step': Some Albertans line up for third COVID-19 vaccine shot
Starting Wednesday, certain groups of Albertans will be able to access a third dose a COVID-19 vaccine to boost their immunity against the highly infectious illness.
The province says approximately 60,000 Albertans who are immunocompromised and another 58,000 people living in seniors supportive living are eligible for this third dose.
Seniors living in congregate care facilities can now receive their third dose about five months after their second dose and they will receive those vaccinations at their facilities.
"We've learned over the last year that there are some people those perhaps that are older or have a compromised immune system that don't quite benefit from two shots as well as the average person," said infectious disease expert Craig Jenne. "We have learned that if we give these people a third dose we can really boost their immunity, but it's important to remember this is only in those groups that didn't generate a good response after the first two doses, so average burden, good enough with two doses, a few select people that their dose is an important step."
Those with immunocompromising conditions qualify for an additional dose at least eight weeks after their second dose. They include:
- Transplant recipients, including solid organ transplants and hematopoietic stem cell transplants;
- Individuals with chronic kidney disease who are receiving regular dialysis;
- Patients in active cancer treatment including chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies but excluding those receiving only hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or surgery and;
- Individuals on certain medications for autoimmune diseases, including rituximab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.
Added to the mix are Albertans who are travelling to foreign countries that don't recognize their vaccinations.
The province says additional mRNA doses will be made available at least 28 days after a second dose to Albertans who are travelling to a jurisdiction that does not accept visitors who have been vaccinated with Covishield/AstraZeneca or mixed doses.
Jason Chan-Remillard, the pharmacist Pharmasave on Northmount Drive N.W., says his staff have fielded a lot of calls from people wanting to know more about the third dose.
"A lot of questions in the last few weeks of people who are going on cruises and that and were not able to go because of this," said Chan-Remillard. "So I'm really glad that the province finally announced this that people were able to get their third dose and match up."
Grant Admiraal was first in line for his third dose Wednesday afternoon.
"We're traveling to the U.S. hopefully in the coming months and we've got a trip booked so I need one because my first dose was AstraZeneca so and so I qualified for the third dose," he said.
"What we do know is mixed doses in many cases actually more effective than getting, for example two doses of one vaccine," said Jenne.
"So the reality, the medicine behind it, says we don't need to be doing this but the politics are you won't be able to travel to some countries and we have to remember some cases travels essential, there are funerals, there are other things besides work that, you know, people have to travel for."
To date, 77.9 per cent of Albertans born in 2009 or earlier have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 69.7 per cent have received two doses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.