People 18 and older may be able to get their first COVID-19 vaccine sooner than first thought.

That’s according to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, who announced on Wednesday the province is planning to extend the timeline between both doses.

Starting March 10, second doses will be administered up to four months later. Those who’ve already scheduled their second appointment for after this date will still get their shot as planned.

Hinshaw says this will allow more people to get their first shot sooner, with the current goal being to have vaccines ready for the general public by early summer.

“The goal is providing first doses to all Albertans as soon as possible.”

An exact timeline is still being developed. The vaccine supply will dictate when the public will start getting the shot.

Previously, the general public was slated to get the shots during the fall of this year.

So far, the province has administered over 255,000 vaccines with around 80,000 Albertans already receiving both doses.

Hinshaw adds they’re continuing to see the number of shots administered rise as last week they provided around 20,000 vaccines.

‘This is great news for our most vulnerable residents and those who care for them.”