Third doses of COVID vaccines hit arms of eligible Albertans

EDMONTON (CityNews) – Over 20,000 Albertans have received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine since it became available on Wednesday, to seniors and those who are immunocompromised.

For Heather Harder – one of the 20,000 to get a third dose – another COVID-19 vaccine is another shot at some normalcy.

“I couldn’t even get a cold, let alone COVID. Because that would do me in,” she explained.

Being immunocompromised, Harder’s doctors prepared her for this.

“Absolutely was not a surprise, they have said all the way along that this is where the research is going,” explained Harder.

The Edmonton area woman is recovering from a kidney transplant. Transplant recipients are put on immunosuppressants making them more vulnerable to COVID-19, but also lowering their immune response to vaccines.

“Two doses are not sufficient for people with certain types of cancer or are on dialysis. For them to get the same protection that an average person would get, they need a third dose,” explained Dr. Andre Corriveau, the Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer in Alberta.

Alberta health quietly rolled out a new centralized booking system and without a press update, volunteers for Vaxx Hunters Alberta have been fielding questions.

“This is the group of immunosuppressed people who are stressed by this fourth wave and don’t need more stress trying to find that third dose as soon as possible to protect themselves. So that’s a bit disappointing that this was rolled out with no coverage and no information of how it was going to work,” said Vaxx Hunters Alberta.

Noting confusion around how to book, and who is eligible.

“For immuno-depressed and congregate living, the information had already been provided to the care providers,” said Corriveau.

Adding how those in congregate living will be getting a third dose, but he does recommend checking with your loved one’s facility before booking, because they might have a clinic coming to them.