Starting April 12, people 70 and older will be eligible to receive a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as will First Nations, Métis and Inuit people 65 and older, and all seniors in congregate care.
This is in line with a recent recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
Eligible individuals can book their fourth dose if five months or more have passed since their third dose.
The province also has announced it will be receiving doses of Novavax’s Nuvaxovid vaccine, starting April 12. Nuvaxovid is a non-mRNA vaccine approved for recipients 18 and older. Due to limited supply, appointments for this vaccine can be booked by calling 811 only.
Also starting April 12, children ages six to 11 will be permitted to receive the Moderna vaccine, in line with recent recommendations from NACI.
“As more Albertans get back to normal, we will see cases and virus levels rise and fall," said Health Minister Jason Copping in a news release. "However, these fluctuations do not necessarily require the measures we’ve put in place before."
Copping added the number of COVID-positive patients in hospital remains stable at this time.
"The total number of patients in our hospitals is also stable, within normal capacity overall, and in line with the level at this time of year before the pandemic," he said. "We’re well-positioned to manage some increase in admissions if we see that, and Albertans have access to vaccines and antiviral treatments for protection against severe outcomes.
"I encourage everyone to get vaccinated with every dose you’re eligible for and to stay home if you’re feeling unwell.”
