Health Minister of Alberta Jason Copping announced expanded eligibility for third-dose booster vaccines.

'It's time to take the next step." says Copping, "vaccines continue to be our most effective tool against COVID. This is especially important as we head into cold and flu season and start to look towards the holidays."

All Albertans 18 and older will soon be eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with a staggered age rollout. 

Beginning December 6, Albertans aged 60 or older may receive a booster dose. Appointments to book a booster vaccine dose in this age range open December 2. 

Going forward, Copping says bookings will open up to additional age groups as long as Alberta has supply. The anticipated date for all Albertans aged 18 and older to receive their third dose of the COVID vaccine is early 2022.

"We're offering third doses to older people first, just as we did with first and second doses, as older people are at increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19"

Eligibility for a third dose comes no sooner than 6 months after receiving the second dose of the vaccine.

Copping thanked the parents and guardians of the more than 33,000 children aged 5 to 11, who have now had their first dose of the vaccine. Another 52,000 appointments have been booked, according to Copping, which is more than 21% of all children in the 5 to 11 age range having been partially vaccinated or set to be. 

In the past 24 hours, Alberta Health Services identified 430 new cases of COVID-19 from approximately 10,800 tests, bringing the total number of provincial active cases to 4,619. Yesterday, there were 4,545 active cases. 

There are now 424 Albertans in the hospital due to COVID-19 with 79 Albertans in intensive care. Yesterday, these numbers were 434 and 81 respectively.  

As for Alberta schools, there are active alerts or outbreaks in 147 schools. Of these, 8 schools are on outbreak status. To see a full list of Alberta school alerts or outbreaks CLICK HERE. 

In the City of Airdrie, there are currently 68 active cases of COVID-19. This number remains unchanged from yesterday.

The number of active cases of COVID-19 in Rocky View County is 63. The county had 60 active cases of COVID yesterday.

To date, the province has administered 6,910,936 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine with 88.8% of eligible Albertans having received one dose and 84.1% of eligible Albertans fully vaccinated with two doses. Any Albertan over the age of 5 is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Any Albertan over the age of 60, who has gone 6 months since their second vaccine dose, is eligible to book a booster. To book a first, second, or booster dose of the vaccine CLICK HERE.