Kenney says targeted public health measures and rising vaccination rates have helped slow the spread
JUST IN: Pfizer’s vaccine for kids 5-11 arrived in Alberta today. This makes vaccines available for another 391,000 Albertans. Bookings open tomorrow at 8 am #covid19ab @edmontonjournal
Kids in this age group will not be subject to the restriction exemption program (vaccine passports) says Kenney
Kenney says he felt it would be unfair to stigmatize kids who don’t get them given their lower risk for being seriously sick
Kenney: “Vaccines are the single most effective tool that we’ve got so we need to use them to our full advantage” and he thanks people who got them and the kids who will get them soon
Health minister Copping giving more details 
(I should mention that both Kenney and Copping have reiterated how safety of these vaccines have been rigorously treated)
Copping: First appointments available Friday. Immunization by appointment only and need to be at least 5. Any child can book and it’s not phased by age either by calling 811 or on AHS’s website
Second doses will be available at least 8 weeks after.
Copping says please don’t try booking today but you can pre-register as 43,000 already have.
The QR vaccine record will also be updated tomorrow to meet standards for international travel. If you aren’t planning to travel you don’t need to update it.
Dr. Hinshaw is giving her update now
Hinshaw: we are changing the interval between doses based on recommendations Alberta’s advisory committee on immunization because it is more effective
Hinshaw: that committee is also recommending those 12-29 get Pfizer instead of Moderns because of a higher risk of myocarditis although it’s still low. Pfizer recommended for teens and young adults
Today’s Covid numbers: 253 new cases, 5.2% positivity rate, active alerts and outbreaks in 133 schools with 10+ cases. 475 in hospital including 94 in ICU
A child under the age of 2 is one of the 10 additional Covid deaths reported today
The child has complex medical conditions (Covid was a contributing factor in the death) but it doesn’t diminish the tragic loss, Hinshaw says
She said there’s a thorough process before they report a death as a Covid death
The paediatric dose has already been given out to more than 2 million kids in the US. Very rare side effects reported she says
The dose is 1/3 strength of 30 micrograms. Recommended to spread out doses by 8 weeks based on evidence that was more effective for adults
Also they recommended you wait 14 days after another shot like the flu shot
Hinshaw will hold a telephone town hall for parents who want to talk about concerns with the vaccines next Tuesday #covid19ab
I asked if they’re going to have vaccine clinics for kids when they get more. Copping says not right now. They did run them in high schools but he says those clinics were not super successful
Copping says 700 out of 1300 schools that were offered were cancelled
My second question — can people, vaxxed or not, expect to be able to spend time with their families during the holidays?
Copping said they’re still looking into this. We’re still at 20% or our standard hospital capacity although cases are going down.
.@Jantafrench followed up to get more info on vaccines being available in schools ... she noted that other vaccines are offered and asked is this actually a political or ideological decision not to offer them there?
@Jantafrench Copping said it has nothing to do with ideology/politics, but having them available at AHS facilities is the best approach to get them out.
@Jantafrench Kenney: "This is nothing to do with politics" and says look at B.C. they are doing the same thing. He says parents have said they want to be present for vaccines and it will be easier to accommodate the flow
@Jantafrench He also says Alberta's never had a mandatory vax policy.
Kenney also talks about how we aren't going to have the same risk of kids filling up ICUs as risks are lower for them.
Kenney also talks about how we aren't going to have the same risk of kids filling up ICUs as risks are lower for them.
@Jantafrench An unrelated question for Kenney about why are you saying David Suzuki is inciting violence when he actually isn't saying that
@Jantafrench Kenney said that it is and there's an implication in there like "that's a nice pipeline, shame if something happened to it"
Story with more info here
https://twitter.com/laurby/status/1463295673843924992
And by treated I meant tested!
Clinics in SCHOOL this should say
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
