Thousands book of AstraZeneca vaccine in Alberta, more eligible Thursday

Mar 10, 2021 | 1:05 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta Health Services says thousands of people have made appointments to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

All Albertans born in 1957 were able to book online or call 811 starting Wednesday to book their shots, though the health agency warns phone lines are busy.

Indigenous people born in 1972 can also book appointments for the AstraZeneca shot by calling 811.

AHS says by midday, more than 10,000 people had booked their appointments.

Chief medical officer of health in Alberta, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, says appointments will now be available in all zones at 8 a.m. Thursday to all Albertans born in 1958 and First Nations and Metis people born in 1973.

All Albertans who were eligible to book Wednesday will retain their eligibility going forward.

Alberta is following the advice of a national immunization committee and is not offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to people 65 and older.

Online booking was overwhelmed last month when the province began offering shots of two other approved vaccines to anyone born in 1946 or earlier.

Alberta Health Services says it has added queuing technology that tells users how many people are waiting ahead of them and if the wait is longer than an hour.

Alberta has approximately 58,500 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and more is expected to be delivered next week.

by Canadian Press