Alberta to pay for COVID shots for health workers in policy reversal

Alberta’s government says it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers in a partial policy reversal.

It comes two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for COVID-19 shots this fall.

Public health experts and health-care unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace.

Premier Danielle Smith has said the aim of the new policy is to prevent wastage, after some $135 million was spent on unused doses.