SSilver / Depositphotos.com
EDMONTON — Alberta is returning influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations to participating community pharmacies this fall, but who pays will depend on the vaccine and the person receiving it.
Influenza immunization will be free for all Albertans six months of age and older at community pharmacies, public health clinics and outreach services.
COVID-19 vaccination will also return to participating pharmacies for eligible Albertans aged 12 and older, after the province removed publicly funded COVID-19 vaccine access from pharmacies in 2025.
Unlike influenza, COVID-19 vaccination will not be free for everyone.
The province says publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines will be available at no cost to seniors, pregnant Albertans, teachers, health-care workers, homeless Albertans, residents of congregate living settings, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Albertans, and people at increased risk of severe illness because of underlying health conditions.
Albertans aged 12 and older who do not fall into one of those eligible groups will have to pay $100 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine through a participating pharmacy.
Children between six months and 11 years will receive COVID-19 immunization through Primary Care Alberta public health clinics. Children considered at high risk because of an underlying medical condition will qualify for publicly funded vaccination.
For children in that age group who are not eligible for publicly funded COVID-19 immunization, the province says the administrative fee is $100.
Albertans will be able to begin booking fall respiratory virus immunizations Oct. 5 through participating pharmacies, Primary Care Alberta public health clinics and outreach services.
In 2025, the province removed publicly funded COVID-19 vaccine supply from pharmacists and pharmacies, shifting administration to public health clinics.
That decision drew criticism from the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association, which argued the change would reduce access to care.
This year’s respiratory virus program also expands access to RSV protection.
Beginning Oct. 1, free RSV immunization will be extended to some vulnerable adults aged 18 to 69 with serious medical conditions, including transplant recipients, people receiving dialysis and those requiring chronic oxygen therapy.
Alberta will also provide a publicly funded RSV monoclonal antibody to all infants born in hospital from November through April.
The province says COVID-19 vaccine wastage fell from almost 50 per cent in 2024-25 to less than 20 per cent in 2025-26 following changes to inventory management and redistribution.
The 2026-27 program will include additional measures, including vaccine pre-ordering, to better match supply with demand.
Comments