Alberta has announced a significant change in its vaccination program, allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines to children as young as five years old. This decision comes as the province continues to battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to increase accessibility to vaccinations for younger age groups.
Previously, only children aged nine and older were eligible to receive vaccinations from pharmacists. However, with the recent approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged five to 11, the Alberta government has decided to lower the age limit for pharmacist-administered vaccinations.
According to Health Minister Tyler Shandro, this change will make it easier for families to get their children vaccinated, especially in rural and remote areas where access to healthcare services may be limited. He also emphasized the importance of vaccinating children to protect them from COVID-19 and its variants.
The decision to lower the age limit for pharmacist-administered vaccinations was made after careful consideration and consultation with health experts. The Alberta College of Pharmacists has also provided guidance and training for pharmacists to ensure the safe and effective administration of vaccines to children.
Pharmacists will be able to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to children aged five to 11 starting on November 15. Parents or guardians must provide consent for their child to receive the vaccine, and the child must be accompanied by an adult during the vaccination appointment.
This change in the vaccination program is a significant step towards achieving herd immunity and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. It also aligns with the province’s goal of having 90% of eligible Albertans fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In addition to this change, the Alberta government is also working on expanding the number of pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccinations to increase accessibility for all age groups. This includes adding more pharmacies in rural and remote areas and increasing the number of doses available at each location.
As the province continues to navigate through the pandemic, the decision to lower the age limit for pharmacist-administered vaccinations is a positive development that will benefit the health and well-being of Albertans. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to protect their children and the community from COVID-19.
