'We can't keep doing it this way': Smith defends province's decision to charge $100 for COVID shots

The decision to start charging most Albertans $100 for their COVID-19 shot this flu season has sparked controversy in the province. Premier Danielle Smith cited vaccine wastage and the federal government’s decision to stop funding the program as reasons for implementing the fee. Smith argued that the lack of demand for the COVID shot during last year’s flu season led to significant amounts of vaccines being thrown out or wasted, costing the province millions of dollars.

The two-phase fall immunization program in Alberta will provide free COVID-19 shots to eligible individuals in Phase 1, while Phase 2 will require a $100 administration fee per dose for everyone else. Exemptions from the fee include health-care workers, residents of continuing-care homes, individuals with underlying medical conditions, and seniors over 65 who receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit.

Pharmacies have been excluded from administering the COVID vaccines, with shots only available at public health clinics. This decision has been met with frustration from pharmacists like Randy Howden, who argue that pharmacies provide better availability and are a cost-effective option for vaccine delivery.

Opposition parties have criticized the UCP government for implementing the fee, calling it “cruel” and a burden on Albertans during an affordability crisis. The move makes Alberta the only province in Canada to charge for COVID vaccines, with concerns raised about the impact on herd immunity.

The Alberta Medical Association also expressed concerns about the user-pay model for vaccinations, warning that it could reduce uptake among those who cannot afford the cost. The debate over the fee for COVID vaccines continues as the province grapples with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.