(Canadian Press)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

anyone 18 and over

Alberta expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots

Dec 21, 2021 | 11:49 AM

Alberta is opening up COVID-19 booster shot eligibility to anyone 18 and older.

Starting immediately, anyone 18+ who has received a second dose at least five months ago can book a third one.

The government also says this is part of an ambitious booster shot campaign to protect Albertans against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

As of yesterday, Alberta had confirmed 1,045 cases of the Omicron variant, up from 173 on Friday.

“There is still a lot that we don’t know about Omicron,” says Premier Jason Kenney. “But one thing we do know is that the most powerful protection from this highly contagious variant is to get a booster shot. I urge all Albertans to step up and protect themselves and the health-care system with a booster as soon as they can.”

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Albertans are encouraged to take the first mRNA vaccine available to them for their third dose, be it Pfizer or Moderna.

Pfizer will be prioritized for those aged 18 to 29 as a cautionary measure, a release states.

It continues, saying that while there is a slightly increased risk of myocarditis in younger Albertans from Moderna, especially in males, individuals are much more likely to experience myocarditis from COVID-19 infection than the vaccine.

“Third doses are especially important to protect against the Omicron variant,” says Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health.

“Vaccines continue to be our best protection against COVID-19 and with the highly transmissible Omicron variant, I encourage all eligible Albertans to book their first, second and third doses as soon as they are eligible.”

Booking is available online or by calling AHS at 811.

WATCH: Premier, Dr. Hinshaw to update Alberta on COVID-19 at 3:30 Tuesday