Thousands of Albertans in private seniors facilities still awaiting vaccines, not atop priority lists theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
CALGARY Days after Premier Jason Kenney’s announcement that Alberta has reached a vaccine “milestone” some families are wondering why their elderly loved ones in care homes had been left out. Just weeks after Betty Clarke celebrated her 99th birthday with family over Zoom from her independent supported living facility in Edmonton she was supposed to get her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but it was postponed due to the Pfizer shipment delay. “You just kind of feel that a 99-year-old would have had her vaccine sooner than this,” said her daughter Jennifer Diakiw. She wasn’t the only Albertan confused after the premier’s announcement Monday.
EDMONTON Premier Jason Kenney’s announcement that Alberta has reached a vaccine “milestone” is creating some confusion amongst private seniors home operators. Kenney said Monday that the first dose of vaccination against COVID-19 had now been administered in all 357 long-term care and designated supportive living facilities in the province, a feat he called a ‘tremendous milestone’. “I believe (this) makes Alberta the first province in the country to complete the first dose vaccine rollout for this important and highly vulnerable population,” said Kenney. However, operators of private long-term care homes said they are frustrated by the language being used.