Dear Members,
The Alberta government has introduced significant changes to the way Albertans will access COVID-19 vaccines this fall. Most Albertans will now need to pre-order their vaccine, make a separate appointment for administration and pay for it (estimated at over $100). Only certain groups – such as individuals in congregate care, those who are immunocompromised and some receiving social assistance – will continue to receive publicly funded doses.
We believe public health protection shouldn’t become a privilege. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has issued clear, evidence-based guidance: vaccines should be made easily available, particularly for priority populations such as seniors, health care workers, pregnant people and those with underlying conditions. These groups are most at risk of severe illness – and yet many will now face significant cost and access barriers under this new policy. Notably, Indigenous communities appear to have been overlooked. A 2024 Statistics Canada study found that First Nations people and Métis experience higher COVID-19 mortality rates than non-Indigenous populations, underscoring the urgent need to ensure they have equitable, barrier-free access to vaccination.
At a time when Alberta’s health system is already undergoing major transitions, we need a fair and accessible strategy, not a one-size-fits-all, pay-to-play system. The World Health Organization’s position paper Understanding the behavioural and social drivers of vaccine uptake reminds us that convenience, cost and ease of access are critical drivers of immunization rates. Any unnecessary complication risks a reduction in uptake and an increase in preventable illness.
In its most recent advice, NACI has also emphasized that health care workers (HCWs) and other care providers must remain a priority. These individuals may need to care for people who have COVID-19 or work in environments where COVID-19 patients are treated. Under the ethical principle of reciprocity, HCWs should have timely, barrier-free access to vaccination to protect themselves and prevent transmission to vulnerable patients.
Introducing a user-pay model for COVID-19 vaccines risks reducing uptake, especially among those who cannot easily afford the cost or navigate the new pre-order system. This could lead to preventable illness, hospitalizations and further strain on an already stressed health care system. As physicians, we know that prevention through immunization is one of the most effective – and cost-effective – public health measures we have.
We have already raised these concerns with government and will continue to advocate strongly for a policy that protects public health, follows the best available scientific evidence and removes barriers to vaccination for those who need it most. This is not about politics — it’s about protecting Albertans’ health.
Sincerely,
Shelley Duggan, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association