Some of us will be rolling up our sleeves, for the fourth time.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, provided the latest COVID-19 update and announced a new series of vaccines for immunocompromised Albertans.
Fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being made available to immunocompromised Albertans over 18, Hinshaw said on Tuesday. Beginning Jan.20, those who are eligible will be able to book appointments five months after their third dose.
“With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, we want to provide these Albertans with additional protection against the virus,” she said.
Eligible immunocompromising conditions include people living with chronic kidney disease receiving regular dialysis, those receiving active cancer treatment or immunosuppressive therapies and transplant recipients.
The province reported 3,279 new cases of the virus on Tuesday; currently, 1,089 people are in hospital, including 104 in intensive care.
According to Hinshaw, approximately 51 per cent of new non-ICU hospitalizations are due to COVID-19, and 74 per cent of ICU admissions are because of the virus.
Nine new deaths were recorded in the province, bringing the total to 3,412 since the start of the pandemic.