(The Canadian Press)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Smith says shift in COVID-19 vaccination policy prompted by union demands

Aug 22, 2025 | 9:58 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government’s sudden shift in COVID-19 vaccination policy was prompted by union demands.

Earlier this week, her health ministry said COVID-19 vaccine coverage would be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province’s rollout.

That came two months after the government announced most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for a shot, at a potential cost of 110 dollars.

Smith says the change came out of a request from the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, which reached a tentative bargaining agreement last week.

She says other unions wanted the same for their members, and the shot won’t be mandatory.

The premier says she believes more clarity on the cost will come Friday, and that more than 100-thousand Albertans have already pre-ordered their shots.

(The Canadian Press)