Smith defends imposing fees on COVID-19 vaccines in Alberta: "They will be shocked when they pay the cost themselves"

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her commitment to the province's decision to impose an administrative fee on «COVID-19» doses for most of the population in the fall season, considering that many «will be surprised when they have to pay for it themselves,» referring to the cost reviews that the government says it has conducted. 

According to the updated plan, Alberta will launch a two-phase vaccination program starting in October: the first phase will provide free vaccines to the most vulnerable groups; including residents of care homes and seniors on the «Seniors’ Benefit,» people with chronic diseases or immunodeficiency starting from 6 months of age, homeless individuals, as well as healthcare workers. The second phase will make doses available to the rest of the population for an administrative fee of 100 dollars per dose. 

The provincial government said the program adjustment came after the federal funding for the «COVID-19» vaccine stopped, and with its desire to reduce waste after recording about 401,000 unused doses during the 2024-2025 season, equivalent to more than 44 million dollars according to the estimated cost per dose. It also referred to the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which sees that extending public funding to those not at high risk is not cost-effective. 

The policy was amended this week to include healthcare workers in the first free phase, a change Smith said came in response to union pressures and the requirements to protect patients and ensure the stability of the healthcare workforce. 

Practically, Alberta is opening pre-booking through the provincial platform until September 30 to notify registrants of their appointments when doses become available in October; with appointments for the first phase starting on October 1, and the second phase (subject to availability) on October 20, with booking continuing throughout the respiratory virus season. 

Summary: Alberta is proceeding with a «targeted funding» model that maintains free vaccination for the highest-risk groups and transfers the cost burden to the rest of the population through an administrative fee, while the government bets on reducing waste and ensuring economic feasibility without disrupting access for those who need protection first.