CARP National, along with our members in Alberta, want to send a message to Premier Danielle Smith – it’s not too late to do the right thing for seniors.
The recent overhaul of Alberta’s fall immunization program for COVID-19 vaccines unfairly targets seniors, who now face new physical and economic barriers to getting the vaccine.
Currently, only certain segments of the senior population can get inoculated for free. We need to urge Premier Smith and Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange to offer free COVID-19 vaccines to everyone who is 65 and older, as is recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, an expert advisory body to the Federal Government and Public Health Agency of Canada.
We also call on the province to walk back the decision to remove pharmacies as the “go-to” place for getting that shot in your local community. In 2024/25, approximately 87% of all COVID-19 shots were provided by Alberta pharmacists. COVID-19 vaccines will be almost exclusively administered, in the community, through public health and other clinics (formerly run through Alberta Health Services). This disproportionately impacts people in rural areas and those without access to public transit. And seniors who do not qualify for free access but who want the shot… well, it’ll cost them $100.
Supplies might be an issue though. The province ordered 485,000 doses for distribution this fall – 250,000 fewer than last year. Smith cited last year’s wastage as the reasoning for a smaller order, though that logic fails to address the government policy which drove it: multi-dose vials were to be opened when needed, knowing that any number of the other doses would spoil if not used within certain time limits and storage temperatures.
CARP is not alone in urging the provincial government to roll out better COVID-19 protections. Alberta doctors and the Canadian Public Health Association have chimed in by renewing calls for the COVID-19 vaccine to be offered for free to anyone who wants it.
Your voice – your vote – matters too.
Send a letter to the Premier’s office. Contact your MLA. Do what you can to give Premier Smith reason to reconsider her COVID-19 vaccine policy.
She’s done it before, on this file.
Following widespread backlash, the program was modified just a few weeks ago to include healthcare workers.
As CARP President Anthony Quinn said back in June, when this policy change was announced: “Public health policy must put people first. If the government’s goal is to minimize waste, the solution is smarter distribution—not abandoning vulnerable groups. We urge Premier Danielle Smith and Minister Adriana LaGrange to reconsider this short-sighted move and reinstate full access to COVID-19 vaccines for all seniors who want them.”
