Phase 2A of the vaccine rollout will continue tomorrow (Tuesday, March 16) with the next birth years in the 2A cohort.

This includes Albertans born in 1948 and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit born in 1963 or earlier.

Bookings will not open up until 10 a.m. to allow for some improvements to be made to the online booking tool. 

Dr. Hinshaw reported on the vaccine rollout, "There has been strong interest, which is a great sign. As of earlier today, more than 8,000 Albertans had booked appointments through AHS and thousands more had booked through participating pharmacies. I’m so grateful for everyone who is signing up." She also encouraged people to be patient and that more appointments will open up when the supply arrives. She promises that "Everyone in Phase 2A will get their vaccine. No one will be left behind."

Alberta's Top Doctor also reported on the next rollout phase 2B which should start in April and it will see that Albertans with a severe underlying condition will receive their vaccine. This will include: 

  • If you have chronic heart disease,
  • If you have received a solid organ, bone marrow, or stem cell transplant,
  • If you have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the past year,
  • If you have diabetes requiring insulin or other medication to control,
  • Or if you suffer from severe obesity or chronic liver, lung, or kidney disease.

Anyone with a severe learning disability, developmental delay, or severe neuromuscular condition will also be able to receive the vaccine. This includes those with Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. If you’ve been hospitalized at any point in the past year for a mental illness or a substance use disorder, you will also qualify. If you are pregnant, you will also be able to get the vaccine. The list is complicated and you need to refer to alberta.ca for complete details. 

As for today's COVID-19 numbers they were as follows.

  • There were 364 new cases reported after 6,600 tests were performed for a positivity rate of 5.5%.
  • There are 255 people in the hospital with 42 in ICU.
  • There were 65 new cases of the UK variant reported in the past 24 hours. 
  • Sadly, three more deaths were reported bringing the total to 1,949.
  • There are alerts or outbreaks in 250 schools which accounts for about 10% of schools in the province.
  • To date, over 368,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered.
  • Cochrane is reporting 44 active cases while Rocky View County is sitting at 30 active cases. 
  • Stoney Nakoda is reporting no new cases and five active cases.