EDMONTON, AB – Third dose booster shot eligibility is expanding to all adults in the province.
Appointments will be offered in stages based on age.
Starting Dec. 2, anyone 60 and older can book as long as it’s been six months since their second dose.
The province says additional age groups will be announced as soon as possible.
Health officials say for most people, protection against severe outcomes remains strong after two doses but there are still several people who are completely unprotected and third doses will help boost population protection.
“With the winter season increasing transmission risks, and more Albertans approaching the six-month milestone since receiving their second dose, the evidence supports expanding booster doses to add an additional layer of protection. Vaccines continue to be our best protection against COVID-19, and I continue to encourage Albertans to book their first, second and third doses as soon as they are eligible.” – Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health
Booster eligibility is based on birth date. Albertans who are 59 turning 60, and First Nation, Métis or Inuit individuals who are 17 turning 18, are asked to not book appointments before their birthday.
Albertans who were previously eligible for third doses continue to be able to book their appointments.
Albertans eligible for additional doses now include:
Eligible at least six months after receiving their second dose:
- Albertans aged 60-plus
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit people aged 18-plus
- Health-care workers providing direct patient care and who received their second dose less than eight weeks after their first dose
- Individuals who received two doses of AstraZeneca or one dose of Janssen vaccine
Eligible at least five months after receiving their second dose:
- Seniors living in congregate care
Eligible at least eight weeks after receiving their second dose:
- Individuals with eligible immunocompromising conditions