(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.

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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)