Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine shots now available to Albertans
Appointment bookings for the vaccine that targets both the original COVID-19 strain as well as the Omicron variant opened to Albertans on Wednesday.
The first doses of Moderna's Spikevax Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose were also expected to be administered on Wednesday.
As of 3 p.m., 7,200 appointments had been made. Alberta Health did not have the number of walk-in appointments that had been served.
According to Alberta Health, the vaccine triggers a stronger immune response and provides extra protection against both strains.
The province has what it calls an "ample supply" -- about 428,700 doses. An Alberta Health spokesperson said Alberta has access to additional supply if needed.
Appointments could be made online.
Albertans were eligible if:
- They were 18 years old;
- They had completed a primary vaccine series; and
- It had been five months since their most-recent dose or infection (for higher risk individuals, a shorter interval of three months can be considered).
Manitoba and Nova Scotia also opened bookings for the bivalent vaccine on Wednesday.
B.C. and Ontario were already taking appointments.
Health Canada authorized the shot at the beginning of the month.
The Alberta government expects rollout for minors aged 12 to 17 to begin in "late September/early October."
When influenza vaccine rollout begins in senior congregate care facilities in October, the Spikevax bivalent shot will be offered at the same time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.