Blaming “false statements on social media” for the confusion, the Alberta Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services has amended its website vaccination pre-ordering page to say that Albertans will still be able to book COVID-19 and influenza websites next year even if they don’t pre-order now.
Until today, the statement on the government’s BookVaccine.Alberta.ca website stated: “Pre-ordering of vaccines for the 2026-2027 immunization season starts on September 29 and ends on December 15. Vaccines can only be pre-ordered during this period.”
That was amended yesterday after criticism and sharp commentary appeared on social media to read: “Pre-ordering for the 2026–2027 immunization season starts on September 29 and ends December 15. Pre-ordering helps secure vaccines, reduce wastage, and support responsible spending. Albertans can still book next year if they don’t pre-order.”
That’s reassuring, but it does raise the question: Will there be enough vaccine for everyone if few people pre-order?
“Vaccines must be ordered well in advance of the fall respiratory season, as manufacturers require provinces and territories to commit to quantities early,” wrote Maddison McKee, press secretary to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, in a statement sent yesterday afternoon to some media. “Producing seasonal respiratory vaccines, completing quality control, and securing regulatory approvals take several months.”
Ms. McKee’s statement concluded: “The pre-ordering tool helps forecast future vaccine needs and minimize waste, while also supporting the planning of immunization clinics by giving officials a clearer understanding of expected volumes. It is not the only factor that determines the size of Alberta’s order. Previous and current year actuals are also important to consider. Albertans who don’t pre-order can still book their vaccine next year.”
This explanation is accurate enough, although it is important to note that the “false statements” referenced in the email were based on misleading information published on the government’s own website. It is far from obvious how asking citizens to book more than a year in advance will give officials a clearer understanding of actual demand in 2026-2027.
People posted screenshots of the government’s website with the bad information. That’s not at all “false statements on social media”.
Jerry: Of course not. As Charles Rusnell said on social media tonight, “Guess they did need those AHS comms people they just laid off.” DJC
“Maddison McKee, press secretary to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange.”
What a thankless job that must be.
I had figured the purpose of preordering was to give the UCP a some idea of what to order and not a cut off for getting the vaccine. However, the UCP has no one to blame but itself for not making that clear.
It also is a bad idea. To take a private sector example, most people don’t go into a car dealership to preorder over a half a year ahead of time. If the UCP bases what is ordered on preorders it will likely seriously underestimate demand. However, that is probably the intention of those who don’t really believe in vaccines who set the UCP agenda. So it is quite possible those who don’t preorder will find out they can’t get vaccinated because the UCP did not order enough. Or maybe the UCP will adjust the order accordingly to account for some extra demand, but I wouldn’t bet on their competence or goodwill on this.
don’t know who thought all of that up but when it comes to stupid, no one can be that stupid. I’d suggest its deliberate to screw things up for this year and next.
They’re concerned about the health of taxpayers? Not so much. Not so concerned about the budget either because people who are seriously ill go to the hospital and that is expensive.
Now in B.C. with our deficiet around $11B some one is making good guesses about how many vaccines will be required. A week or 2 ago received a text advising me my flu shot was waiting for me. Trotted to my regular pharmacy, the pharmacist was enshrined in one of the consulting rooms giving people their shots–It was busy as they had brought in another pharmacist to handle the prescription end of things. No appointment necessary When I went in, it was the walk in day. Received my flu and COVID shot and was on my way.
If the Alberta government can’t figure it out I’m sure some one from B.C. would be happy to fly over and show them how to run the program.
Pre ordering for a year ahead, give me a break. People will have died, left the province, etc. There may be newer formulas for the vaccine and those ordered a year ago won’t be used. People won’t even remember if they pre ordered or not. Yes Alberta is demonstrating how dumb they are or how they want to fxxk up vaccines which are meant to save lives.
“Vaccines must be ordered well in advance of the fall respiratory season, as manufacturers require provinces and territories to commit to quantities early,” according to Maddison McKee. True, but also irrelevant. It’s always been like this. Alberta hasn’t had a problem with ordering vaccines until the UCP got into power. Check of claim: no other province has been called out for having too few vaccine doses, and no other province has reported having excessive wastage of vaccines. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
The pre-ordering tool wasn’t needed before Danielle Smith infested the Premier’s office. Even Jason Kenney wasn’t stupid enough to try rationing the Covid vaccine—though I’m sure some of his caucus were. The factors that determine how much vaccine to order are well known: how many shots were administered in the last couple of years, and how much population growth do we expect next year? Any competent government would simply keep using them.
So we’re gonna have to send a message to Smith and the anti-vaxxers who put her into the Premier’s office. Spread the word to all your friends, and encourage them to pass it on. “Pre-order” your shots for 2026-27. Let’s see if we can get a couple million people to sign up.
And remember: you have to register to get a notice of when to book your vaccination appointment.
https://bookvaccine.alberta.ca/vaccine/s/