News Release
Alberta’s decision to limit access to publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines puts the public’s health—and the economy—at risk.
Toronto, ON – June 23, 2025 - The Adult Vaccine Alliance (AVA) is calling on the Government of Alberta to reverse its recent decision to limit publicly funded COVID-19 vaccination to high-risk individuals—leaving many Albertans, including seniors and frontline workers, to pay out of pocket.
This shift undermines progress toward equitable immunization and threatens to widen health inequities across the province.
“Restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines through community pharmacies creates unnecessary barriers to access and will reduce vaccine uptake, particularly in seniors, low-income Albertans and those in rural or remote communities ” says Dr. Shelita Dattani, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs at the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada. “It will ultimately increase public health and economic burdens.”
Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for reducing severe illness, hospitalizations and long-term health complications. These outcomes come at a high cost—not just to individuals, but to the entire health system and economy.
“Vaccines are not just a public health tool—they’re an economic one,” says Dattani. “They help reduce pressure on hospitals, keep workers healthy and productive and ultimately strengthen Alberta’s economy.”
AVA urges the Government of Alberta to reinstate universally funded COVID-19 immunization and to commit to removing financial and logistical barriers to adult vaccination more broadly.
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About the Adult Vaccine Alliance
The Adult Vaccine Alliance (AVA) is a national coalition committed to advancing vaccine access, funding and uptake among adults in Canada. Our members include frontline health care providers, public health experts, academics, pharmacy leaders, industry partners, advocacy organizations and patient groups — united by a shared vision of reducing barriers to adult immunization. Together, we provide expertise and guidance to shape effective vaccine policies and improve public health outcomes across Canada.