Alberta Has 'Run Out' Of COVID-19 Vaccines & First-Dose Appointments Are Getting Cancelled
On Monday, January 18, Jason Kenney addressed the press about the supply of Alberta COVID-19 vaccine doses.
He said that the province has run out of doses and though he said that more are on the way, "we need to make adjustments today to accommodate this lack of supply."
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Even with a new shipment of Pfizer vaccines expected later this week, we won’t have enough vaccine to continue with new first-dose appointments.
Jason Kenney
As such, no first dose appointments will be scheduled until further notice.
"Second dose appointments will not be cancelled and we believe we can administer second doses to all those who need them in the recommended timeframe," said the premier.
"The shipments we’ve received do not match the pace at which we are able to vaccinate Albertans. I am deeply disappointed at the situation that we are now facing.”
Kenney said that Pfizer announced on January 15 that shipments would be cut by 20 to 80% in the coming weeks.
He continued to say that Pfizer's supply in "European countries will not be significantly affected but Canada’s supply will be held back."
He called that "doubly disappointing."
The distribution to populations in Phase One who haven't already been given a COVID-19 vaccine will be delayed. This includes some health care workers, First Nations populations over the age of 65, and some seniors.
*This article has been updated.