Alberta's government announced Friday residents who are not immunocompromised or on social programs will soon have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a late afternoon news release, the government said that since provinces took over responsibility for procuring the shots in April, it has wanted to cut down on waste and recoup costs.
It said an estimated one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, or just over half of Alberta's supply, were not used during the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season. It said $135 million worth of shots were wasted.
"Now that Alberta’s government is responsible for procuring vaccines, it’s important to better determine how many vaccines are needed to support efforts to minimize waste and control costs," the province said.
"This new approach will ensure Alberta’s government is able to better determine its overall COVID-19 vaccine needs in the coming years, preventing significant waste."
The government said it hasn't been determined how much Albertans would pay, but an estimated cost to procure each shot is $110.
It has ordered just under 500,000 of the vaccines for the fall, or about one-third of what was ordered last season, at an estimated cost of $49 million.
Some of that cost would be covered through taxpayers paying for their shots, the province said.
Primary and Preventative Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said in the statement that Alberta is also changing how the vaccines are doled out across the province, and local pharmacies would no longer be given a supply.
Instead, Albertans will need to receive their COVID-19 shots at public health clinics.
Those who want the vaccine are asked to "signal their intent" in August, with bookings to begin in October.
Alberta is also reintroducing phased vaccine delivery, with first doses to be given to seniors in supportive living homes, followed by those who are immunocompromised and on social programs.
The next phase of doses are to be reserved for those over 65, with the last phase open to everyone else.
LaGrange said the phased-approach and payment system would ensure "we remain fiscally responsible while continuing to protect those at highest risk.”
Opposition NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman said it's cruel to charge Albertans for a COVID-19 vaccine, piling further financial burden on those who want to protect their health and their loved ones.
“It’s dangerous, it’s callous, it’s anti-science and it’s anti-public health," Hoffman said in a statement.
She added that if the United Conservative Party government wanted to eliminate waste and protect Albertans' health, it would better promote vaccines.
In the 2024-25 respiratory season, about 700,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered. The vast majority were dispensed at pharmacies.
Provincial data says since last August, 368 people have died as a result of contracting COVID-19. Alberta's respiratory dashboard says two people are currently in hospital with the illness.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
— With files from Lisa Johnson and Aaron Sousa in Edmonton