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Vast majority of province received vaccine

Posted on July 29, 2021 by admin

By Nikki Jamieson
Westwind Weekly News

Alberta hit another vaccination milestone last week.

As of July 22, 75 per cent of eligible Albertans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from Alberta Health Services, community pharmacies and physician clinics. More then 61 per cent are now fully immunized with both doses.

“Vaccines are crucial to keeping COVID-19 at bay in our province in the months to come. I am tremendously proud to see Albertans continue to step up to get their first dose. The more people who get vaccinated, the more control we have over this virus and its effect on our lives moving forward,” said Premier Jason Kenney, in a recent press release.

This announcement follows the province announcing on July 1 that more then 50 per cent of eligible Albertans have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, all COVID-19 vaccines approved in Alberta require two doses.

The province continues to urge all eligible Albertan to get both shots of the vaccine, as while the initial dose offers some protection, a second dose of the vaccines provide a high level of protection against COVID-19 and are necessary to get the best and most long-lasting protection against the virus.

“Seventy-five per cent of eligible Albertans vaccinated with at least one dose is a milestone to celebrate, but a quarter of eligible Albertans still do not have vaccine protection. We need to vaccinate as many people as possible now to protect us all in the weeks and months ahead,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta.

Bookings for first and second doses are available province-wide, and appointments can be booked through AHS online, by calling 811 or through participating pharmacies. First dose walk-in clinics are also available at multiple locations.

All Albertans 18 and over are eligible for the Open for Summer Lottery once they’ve received their COVID-19 vaccine. Albertans with two doses can also register for the separate Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery offering draws for one-of-a-kind hunting, fishing and wilderness experiences. Anyone who already registered for the Open for Summer Lottery will need to register again specifically for the Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery.

“Book your shot today and follow up with a second dose as soon as you are eligible to do so. Along with being protected, the sooner Albertans receive both doses, the sooner they can enter the remaining draws for our Open for Summer Lottery,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health for Alberta.

According to the province’s website, as of end of day on July 26, 54 per cent of eligible residents in the Cardston-Kainai area have received at least dose of the CVID-19 vaccine with 44.5 per cent being fully vaccinated, and 46.4 per cent of those eligible in the County of Warner have received one dose with 39.8 per cent being fully immunized.

For schedule and locations for vaccine appointments, visit ahs.ca/vaccine.

To sign up for the Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery, visit alberta.ca/outdoor-adventure-vaccinelottery.aspx.

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