EDMONTON (660NEWS) — Some exciting news from the province on the vaccine front.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro kicked off Thursday’s update saying that all Albertans who want a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get their first dose by the end of June.
So, Alberta plans to have the first dose in every adult who wants it by June 30th.
That's *just* 118 days away. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 4, 2021
Meanwhile, bookings for phase 2A will begin the week of Mar. 15, with some changes coming to the booking system to allow for a more fluent booking experience.
Over 437,000 Albertans between the ages of 65 and 74 who want a vaccine will be offered one in the next phase, with bookings being made available in stages.
To avoid delays, bookings will be done in stages.
First day, anyone aged 73-74 can book. Second day would add 71-72, and so on. #yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 4, 2021
The province will also now begin using the Astrazeneca vaccine, with the first 58,500 vaccine doses set to go out to eligible Albertans between the ages of 50 and 64.
First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people aged 50 and older will also be able to receive the vaccine beginning Mar. 15. Those who live on reserve will be booking appointments through First Nations and Inuit Health, as well as their local health centres.
Those who live off-reserve will be able to book their vaccine appointments over the phone or online beginning March 15 as well.
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Staff and seniors from seniors supportive living facilities who haven’t already received a vaccine dose will be able to book appointments on day one of the next phase as well.
The vaccine news comes as the province recorded 33 new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant over the past 24 hours.
WATCH: Tyler Shandro joined Dr. Deena Hinshaw for Thursday’s COVID-19 update.
Along with the variant cases, 331 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the province.
Forty-five people are now in the ICU fighting COVID-19, with 245 people in hospital.
