On Wednesday, December 15, more than 3.1 million Albertans 12 years of age and older (or 85 per cent) are now fully immunized against COVID-19 with two shots.
While at the same time, 89.4 per cent of Albertans age 12 and up have received at least one dose of vaccine.
To date, 95,000 pediatric vaccines have been administered to children aged five to eleven.
Officials continue to stress the importance of immunization particularly in the wake of the rising number of Omicron cases.
Dr. Hinshaw says, “Millions of vaccines have been administered here and around the world. The evidence is clear: Vaccines are our most effective tool in protecting our communities from COVID-19. If you haven’t yet accessed the protection of all doses you’re eligible for, I encourage you to do so and continue to make safe choices to help protect those around you. Even if you have previously had COVID-19, the extra protection vaccines offer will help to keep you, our families, and our communities safe.”
It was announced that Alberta will be offering booster or third doses of COVID vaccine to all residents 50 years of age or older as well as all healthcare workers in a race to combat the new variant.
The province is reported another 10 cases of the Omicron variant yesterday bringing the total 60.
Overall, 456 new cases are being reported with a positivity rate of 4.5 per cent.
There are 362 people in the hospital with 71 patients in ICU.
Sadly, another three deaths have been reported bringing the total to 3,286.
In the City of Grande Prairie there are 46 active cases, and in the County of GP there are 33 cases.