Join the conversation about COVID-19

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Albertans have been dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 for more than two years. And while we are tired, we must remain vigilant to protect one another and our healthcare system. It is as important as ever to follow advice from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and to take Guidance and Orders seriously.

Vaccines are a critical way to limit the spread of COVID-19. They are effective and safe for protecting our health, as well as the health of our families and community members. Our goal is to immunize Albertans as safely and effectively as possible.

Follow AHS on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on COVID vaccine availability and other current news.

Albertans have been dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 for more than two years. And while we are tired, we must remain vigilant to protect one another and our healthcare system. It is as important as ever to follow advice from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and to take Guidance and Orders seriously.

Vaccines are a critical way to limit the spread of COVID-19. They are effective and safe for protecting our health, as well as the health of our families and community members. Our goal is to immunize Albertans as safely and effectively as possible.

Follow AHS on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on COVID vaccine availability and other current news.

COVID Fact or Fiction

Do you have questions about COVID-19 that you want to fact check? Look no further! 

Post your question here and an AHS expert will provide accurate and up-to-date information to help with your understanding or provide direction to links which can help you. Please note, the answers provided are accurate as of the time of posting.

By providing us with your email you will be notified when a response to your post is provided or updated. This notification is automatically generated and your email will not be used for any other purposes.

You can also find answers to commonly asked questions on our public and staff FAQs. For other information about COVID-19 visit www.ahs.ca/covid. 

Please note: only those questions that have not been previously asked will be answered. You can use the search function below to type in key words and see responses to nearly 300 questions.


AHS is pleased to answer respectful questions seeking information or clarity. Repetitive and disrespectful questions will not receive a response.

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    I am travelling to East Asia for work in late-Sept, 2023 (too early for fall 2023 booster rollouts) so would like to receive an available (albeit older) Novavax booster to protect my health while out-of-country. I will be in East Asia for 10 days. To date, I have had all available mRNA series and bivalent boosters (last one in Dec 2022) and have not contracted Covid-19 to my knowledge. I am not immunocompromised nor am I elderly, although I have inhaler-managed asthma. Thanks in advance for a timely response with recommendations.

    Work-Required Traveller asked 12 days ago

    Hi, thanks for reaching out. At this time, we would encourage you to consult with your doctor or pharmacy where you received your last vaccination, and they will be in the best position to advise you when and what may be available for you before you travel.

    Please visit our webpage at Immunization (alberta.ca) for further information about immunization and vaccines. You can also check out the vaccine booking system for more: Registration (alberta.ca).

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    When will mandatory masking at ahs facilities end?

    trishrobichaud asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question. Our continuous masking directive remains in place at all AHS facilities. We continue to monitor continuous masking strategies in other jurisdictions both in Canada and throughout the world and are committed to reviewing our masking directive on an ongoing basis. Learn more about Visiting a Loved One at an AHS Facility.

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    How do I get a copy of Covid 19 vaccine certificate

    Mike McKenna asked 9 months ago

    Albertans can get their vaccine record with QR code at alberta.ca/CovidRecords.

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    When will you be expanding Novavax for 12-17 year olds? This was approved by Health Canada on Dec 8/22.

    Clasee asked 9 months ago

    Thank you for your question. Alberta has recently changed eligibility for Novavax vaccine to include children 12-17 years of age, in line with the Health Canada approval. However, this vaccine is only available for those individuals who have a contraindication to, or decline, an mRNA vaccine. Learn more.

    Contraindications could include severe allergy to a component of mRNA vaccines, e.g. anaphylaxis to PEG. Because of limited availability of this vaccine, we invite you to call 811 to access Novavax vaccine.

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    I have had the primary series of Covid immunization-both were Pfizer in 202l. I was about to go for the booster when I contracted Covid in Feb.2022. After recovering & waiting the 6 months again to be immunized, I then contracted covid a 2nd time (mid April 2022) & was unwell for close to 1 month. Given the latest variant, what would you recommend I receive for my 3rd dose? Thank you in advance for your reply.

    Verna-Rae asked 9 months ago

    Thank you for your question. The latest recommendations are to book a COVID-19 booster at least 5 months after your last dose, or most recent COVID-19 infection.

    Book your appointment online.

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    What information is available regarding COVID vaccines as well as those more successful with variant strains and A.D.E (antibody-dependency enhancement)? What are the potential risks? What are the signs? Is there a plan in place to prevent or address this occurrence?

    Li asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question, Li. Throughout the pandemic, scientists have been exploring whether antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) could occur with the COVID-19 vaccines. There are no demonstrated ADE cases in clinical trials or in real world studies of the vaccines we are using in Canada. Immunized people are consistently demonstrated to have a higher level of protection against severe COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This would likely not happen if ADE were occurring. 

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    I'm a 63 y.o. male caucasian with COPD,asthma and A-fib, when would I be able to get the 4th vaccination for covid 29

    Gerald Phillips asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. Decisions about eligibility for COVID vaccination are made by the Government of Alberta. You can learn more about who is eligible and find updates here.

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    When and where will NovaVax be available in Edmonton?

    Dr. Elizabeth L. Schick, MD, CCFP asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. On April 6 the Government of Alberta announced that the province expects to receive 10,000 doses of Novavax’s Nuvaxovid Starting April 12. Nuvaxovid is a two-dose protein subunit vaccine that does not use mRNA technology and is approved for those 18 and older. 

    Due to limited supply, appointments for this vaccine can be booked by calling 811 only. Other vaccines continue to be booked through the Alberta Vaccine Booking System.

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    Is it true that AHS requires new hires to be vaccinated but not people currently employed with them, and if so, what science/rationale guides this policy?

    JRN asked over 1 year ago

    AHS has amended its Immunization of Workers for COVID-19 Policy as directed by the provincial government. The updated policy allows workers — employed with AHS when the policy came into effect and who are currently on a leave of absence due to their immunization status — to return to work. 

    The requirement to be fully immunized remains in place for new hires. This means that any worker hired after Nov. 30, 2021 must be fully immunized against COVID-19 as outlined in the updated immunization policy. We’ll continue to focus on what’s important — keeping our patients and staff safe.

    It’s also important to note that the policy has been very successful and has resulted in high immunization rates across AHS with an overwhelming positive response — 97.7 per cent of staff and 99.8 per cent of physicians are today fully immunized.

    AHS will continue to educate workers about the importance of immunization and vaccine safety and effectiveness. Thanks for reaching out. 

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    What is the delay getting Novavax? What is wrong with AHS?

    Rob M asked over 1 year ago

    Alberta Health is working to bring a small number of doses of Novavax to Alberta; these will be administered through AHS clinics. We have not had an update about exact timing, but will keep Albertans informed when it becomes available.