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Alberta to begin COVID-19 vaccine rollout with healthcare workers

COVID-19 in Canada
COVID-19 in Canada

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The Alberta government will begin its COVID-19 distribution next week, on Dec. 16, with healthcare workers.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro said the initial 3,900 will be distributed to ICU doctors and nurses, respiratory therapists and long-term care workers in Alberta.

“These staff are exhausted and they’ve put themselves at risk for 10 months,” Shandro said. “They need support and they need to know we’re there for them.”

Alberta Health Services will be reaching out directly to those who are eligible for these first vaccinations, with the second immunization to be schedule at the time of the first shot.

Shandro said the province expects to get their next vaccine shipment later in December, but Alberta is “ready to deliver this vaccine.”

This comes as the province reported 1,460 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, with 685 people in Alberta hospitals, including 121 in ICUs.

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