Alberta's COVID Vaccine Uptake Surges

0:00It's April 29th. This is Canada News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Corey with the story. Alberta is seeing a real spring boost in COVID vaccine uptake, with pharmacies now handing out free doses to the highest risk folks. Since early April, nearly 13,000 shots have gone into arms province-wide, and weekly numbers are topping 1,000 for the first time since early February. The rollout kicked off on April 7th, targeting people 80 and older, those in long-term care or senior homes, anyone 6 months in up who's moderately or severely immunocompromised, plus 65 to 79 year olds with key health conditions. Pharmacy started with just 10 doses a week, each but bumped that to 20 to meet demand. Pharmacists are buzzing about it, folks who skipped fall shots or struggled with bookings are showing up, and high-risk patients love the convenience. Right in their neighborhood, but not everywhere slammed, some spots report vaccine fatigue, or folks unaware it's even available, with one owner pushing for free access to all,

1:05over 65. Experts like, I'm anologist Don Bodish, stressed that free and easy shots signal importance, driving better turnout, especially since COVID's behind over. Forty percent of vaccine-preventable respiratory hospital stays in Canada this year. Alberta's overall rates have dipped, which is 7.8% vaccinated since the last fall push. The Pharmacist Association notes, steady supply and a clear uptick since pharmacies rejoin the effort, proving their edge in reaching vulnerable. People who need these boosters twice a year, keeping that access wide open, could turn the tide on hesitancy.