May 11 COVID-19 vaccine update

Alberta premier Jason Kenney outlined the most recent numbers for the vaccine rollout in the province, saying the vaccine program is being implemented “as quickly as we can, so we can get back to normal”.

Last week 270,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Alberta. Beginning May 10 Albertans age 12 and up became eligible — 190,000 appointments were booked through Alberta Health services. 320,000 appointments have been booked in one week, which amounts to almost 10 percent of eligible population.

Kenney says by May 12, the province is targeted to hit 2 million doses. 3.8 million Albertans are eligible for vaccines, and the province is aiming to have half of those eligible vaccinated by the 1st week of June, when a centralized booking system is set to launch.

Albertas Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced that the province has stopped administering first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to shortage. Pfizer and Moderna will be offered alternatively. “We do not know when Canada, and in turn Alberta will receive additional doses,” says Hinshaw

More than 255,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered in Alberta.