Alberta Introduces Fees for COVID-19 Vaccines Amid Public Outcry
So here's something that’s really making waves across Alberta—and honestly, it's raising a lot of eyebrows. Starting this fall, the Alberta government will begin charging most residents a fee to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a significant policy shift, and it's already sparked a strong reaction from health advocates and opposition leaders alike.
Up until now, since the pandemic began in late 2020, the COVID-19 vaccines have been provided free of charge across Canada, thanks to federal procurement. That national approach made these vaccines an exception from the typical rule, where provinces and territories usually handle vaccine costs. But now, the federal government has passed that responsibility on, and Alberta has decided it’s time to start charging.
What does this mean for us? Essentially, unless you fall into a high-risk category—like being a senior in supportive living, having a compromised immune system, living in congregate settings, or relying on social support like AISH—you’ll have to pay out of pocket for your shot. The cost hasn’t been finalized, but Alberta officials referenced an estimated $110 per dose from the U.S. CDC. That's a significant fee, especially for families or individuals who were already struggling to make ends meet.
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Critics are not holding back. Friends of Medicare and the Alberta NDP are calling the move dangerous and anti-public health. They’re accusing the UCP government of catering to anti-vaccine rhetoric and quietly slipping out this decision late on a Friday to avoid public scrutiny. And let’s be real—that timing does feel calculated.
To make things even more complicated, you won’t even be able to get your shot at a local pharmacy anymore. Vaccines will be administered only at public health clinics, making access more limited.
The province says it’s doing this to curb vaccine waste and reduce costs, especially after more than half of Alberta’s vaccine supply went unused last year. But many argue that this waste could be tackled by better public education and outreach—not by throwing up cost barriers.
In the middle of all this, let’s not forget that Alberta is already facing the highest influenza death rate since 2009 and a record number of measles cases not seen in 50 years. That’s terrifying. Public health officials are warning that we’re sliding backward, and vaccines—whether for COVID-19, flu, or measles—remain our strongest defense.
So here we are: in a province where, starting this fall, protecting yourself from COVID-19 will come with a price tag unless you’re deemed high-risk. Whether or not this policy will stand the test of public opinion—or medical scrutiny—remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: this isn’t just about a vaccine anymore. It’s about the kind of healthcare system we want, and the values we choose to prioritize.
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