No flu or COVID-19 vaccines for medical clinics as Alberta's fall immunization launch nears

Family doctors and nurse practitioners have been told they will not be receiving deliveries of flu or COVID-19 vaccines in time for the fall immunization program launch later this month. And it is unclear if they will get any at all.

In addition to AHS public health clinics and pharmacies, community medical clinics can administer publicly funded vaccines, including those that protect against COVID and influenza.

But shipments of vaccines — to these clinics — have stopped,  jeopardizing their participation in the fall immunization campaign.

"It's extremely disappointing to hear, from government, that community practices are not going to be able to receive any vaccines for this flu season," said Dr. Ernst Greyvenstein, a family doctor in Calgary.

In a recent memo from Alberta Health, physicians and nurse practitioners were told they would not be able to access key vaccines this fall.

The memo, obtained by CBC News, said the distribution of provincially funded vaccines to medical and nurse practitioner clinics was "temporarily paused" in April when a contract with the distribution company expired.

"At this time, Alberta Health has not been successful in contracting a distributor to ship vaccines to community medical and nurse practitioner clinics," it stated.

It went on to say a recent expression of interest had closed and no submissions were received.

"As a result, a vendor for vaccine distribution will not be in place by October 15 for the start of the influenza and COVID vaccine program."

Health-care providers are being asked to direct Albertans to get their immunizations at AHS public health clinics and pharmacies.

The distribution problem impacts a number of publicly funded vaccines, including the shot that protects against pertussis (whooping cough) tetanus and diptheria (Tdap).

Greyvenstein — an Alberta Medical Association director who played a key role in advocating for the administration of COVID vaccines by family physician — said staff at his clinic are trained and ready to go.

"The impact of this is far-reaching for patients. Approximately 300,000 patients, plus, receive their vaccines in community practices. Our physicians and community practices have fought very hard to receive vaccines in our practices," he said.

This comes at a time when Alberta's vaccination rates are slumping.