Seasonal immunization information

The 2024-25 Alberta Fall Immunization Program for the general public will begin on October 15, 2024. The Outreach Immunization Program begins on October 1, 2024. Information and resources included on this page will continue to be updated as they become available.

Alberta Health

The Alberta Immunization Policy (AIP) outlines the policies for providing publicly funded immunizations in Alberta. Information provided by Alberta Health includes the following:

• an overview of the AIP, including the Canadian Immunization Guide, Alberta’s routine immunization schedule, and immunization policy changes;
• information about this season’s influenza vaccines;
• cold chain storage and handling;
• adverse events reporting; and
• contact information for Alberta Health.

Respiratory virus dashboard

Alberta Health has launched its COVID-19, influenza, and RSV dashboard. It includes data on cases, positivity, hospital and ICU admissions, and will include information on deaths in the near future. The dashboard will be updated every Thursday throughout the respiratory virus season.

Alberta Health Services (AHS)

The Influenza Immunization Information for Health Professionals webpage contains the following important information for community providers implementing a safe and effective influenza immunization program for 2024-25:

• AHS zone contact information;
• an influenza/pneumococcal immunization orientation webinar;
• AHS Standard for Influenza Immunization;
• influenza vaccine biological pages, product monographs, and information sheets;
• information about consent for influenza immunization;
• information for patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a newborn;
• directions for use of influenza immunization vaccine record;
• vaccine storage and handling; and
• more.

Alberta Blue Cross

All other immunization program information specific to pharmacists and pharmacies will be communicated in the Alberta Blue Cross Benefacts.

Alberta Blue Cross Benefact #1189 includes the following information for pharmacy teams:

• general public program launch information for the 2024-25 season, including the Outreach Immunization Program and information about the high-dose vaccine for individuals aged 65 years and older for the public program;
• vaccine ordering and allocation information; and
• COVID-19 vaccine considerations.

Benefact #1199 includes the following information for pharmacy teams:

• COVID-19 vaccine administration;
• COVID-19 vaccine ordering and allocation information; and
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDAP) vaccine eligibility requirements.

Benefact #1205 provides details about changes to the Alberta Vaccine Booking System.

Benefact #1206 includes the following information for pharmacy teams:

• vaccine product information for influenza and COVID-19,
• influenza and COVID-19 administration and claims process,
• Alberta vaccine inventory, and
• transfers of vaccine doses between pharmacies.

Benefact #1207 includes information about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, which will be offered in Alberta through the provincially funded immunization program including

• who is eligible to receive the vaccine under the provincially funded immunization program,
• vaccine spacing considerations, and
• PIN updates.

Watch for future updates about the 2024-25 Alberta Fall Immunization Program in future editions of the Benefact.

Alberta Blue Cross has also published a Reference guide for administering and claiming influenza vaccines 2024-25, which includes the following information:

• ordering information,
• general considerations,
• vaccine storage and handling,
• age of administration, and
• claims process.

Health Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) to produce a webinar to discuss the current vaccine landscape in Canada and provide an overview of the latest recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), seasonal influenza, and COVID-19 for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season.

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to

• discuss RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19 in Canada, 
• discuss vaccines and/or monoclonal antibodies available for these respiratory viruses, and 
• identify where to access NACI guidance, Canadian influenza antiviral guidelines, and other resources relevant to the prevention and treatment of respiratory illnesses during the 2024-2025 season.

Event information

This webinar will be delivered in English. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions via the pre-webinar registration questionnaire, throughout the live webinar using a Q&A function, and during the question and answer (Q&A) period after the presentations. Post-event, a recording of the webinar in addition to a PDF of the slide deck will be posted on the NCCID website.   

• Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
• Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. MT
• Register: here

What if I’m not participating in the program?

Even if you don’t administer vaccine, you can still play a key role in immunizations as educators and facilitators. We urge you to provide your patients with accurate information regarding influenza immunizations, including referral to a community provider, particularly for those patients in high-risk groups. You can find more information on the AHS website.

Can pharmacists administer influenza vaccine outside of a pharmacy?

Yes, contact the site directly to coordinate any offsite influenza services you are planning to provide.

Keep in mind that the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians still apply when providing a pharmacy service outside of a pharmacy. In particular, note Principle 4.6 of the Code of Ethics regarding patient privacy, and Standards 16 through 18 regarding ensuring proper procedures and environment (Standard 16), ensuring patient safety (Standard 17), and creating and maintaining patient records (Standard 18).