The province is ramping up the Alberta vaccine rollout starting right away.

Starting immediately, the parameters for Phase 2B have been expanded to include everyone with underlying health conditions that were born between 1973 and 2005. Eligible people in the group can book appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine at participating pharmacies or with Alberta Health Services (AHS) online or by calling 811. For an expanded list of eligible health conditions go to alberta.ca/vaccine.

Also, effective immediately, Albertans age 55 to 64 who do not have a chronic health condition can now make an appointment to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine through participating pharmacies. AHS will begin taking bookings for this group beginning Monday, April 12.  Provincial authorities are saying that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective at reducing severe illness from COVID-19. "The rare blood clots reported in Europe have not been reported in Canada, and risk of COVID-19 infection is far greater than any vaccine risk." Eligible Albertans is this phase can choose to wait for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in Phase 2D opening in May.

Rapid flow clinics are expected to open in Calgary next week. Bookings can be made through AHS online or by calling 811.

Currently in Cochrane there are ten pharmacies taking COVID-19 vaccination bookings for various vaccine types. According to Blue Cross website they include:

Loblaw Pharmacy #4971, Rexall #7268, Fireside Pharmacy, Safeway Pharmacy #8914, Save-On-Foods Pharmacy #6637, Cochrane Compounding Pharmacy and Travel Clinic, Shoppers Drug Mart #2420, Sunset Ridge Pharmacy, Two Pharmacy, and Wal-Mart Pharmacy #1135.

Details are being worked out for pharmacies to take walk-in bookings for COVID-19 vaccinations starting next week.