Since 2009 Alberta’s community pharmacists have been active in administering select public health vaccines.
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
Alberta’s community pharmacists continue to play a vital role protecting Albertan’s against COVID-19 disease through vaccination. Since March 2021, Alberta Pharmacists have administered over 6.3 Million doses of vaccine, quickly becoming the provinces number one provider of COVID-19 vaccinations.
With a rise in the number of nationally reported pertussis cases, the National Advisory Committee on Immnization (NACI) now recommends vaccination during pregnancy to protect newborn infants from severe outcomes. Since 2016, Alberta pharmacists have had access to this public health vaccine helping to protect mothers and their newborns.
Every fall, Alberta’s 5,000 plus community pharmacists help their patients protect themselves against influenza by participating in Alberta’s Influenza Immunization Program. Alberta pharmacists are the singular largest provider of influenza vaccine in the province each year.
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus. Pneumococcal infections can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Alberta’s community pharmacists are able to protect individuals age 65 and older through vaccination against pneumococcal disease.
In Alberta there are many other public health vaccines funded by the Alberta Government that are not currently accessible to community pharmacists. These resources will help you respond to patient questions and help you direct them to find the care they need.