Why doctors say high-risk pregnant Albertans should be allowed COVID-19 boosters right away

Some Alberta physicians are urging the province to begin offering third doses of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to pregnant Albertans, who are at higher risk of complications.

The Alberta Advisory Committee on Immunization has issued a "strong clinical recommendation" that people with health conditions increasing their risk of severe outcomes, including pregnancy, and all people over the age of 40 get booster shots.

That's in addition to the general recommendation that anyone 18 and over be offered a third dose at least six months after their second.

But the Alberta government is rolling out the latest phase of booster doses by age, with those 60 and up currently eligible.

In a letter to physicians on Dec. 1, the day the province announced plans to expand boosters to people 18 and older, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, outlined the new recommendations.

She said the rollout would be staggered by age groups "due to short-term vaccine supply constraints," with lower age groups added as vaccine supply allows.

"Having worked through this last fall when we saw how devastating delta was on our pregnant population, I just really want to see this prioritized as soon as possible," said Dr. Stephanie Cooper, an obstetrician specializing in high risk pregnancies at Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre.

While she is pleased the committee has included pregnancy in the list of high-risk health conditions, Cooper is worried about her patients, some of whom already are or will soon be six months past their second doses and therefore eligible for their booster shot.

"Is a woman who is 41 years old and pregnant with a comorbidity at higher risk than a 60-year-old person? And I would say 'yes,'" Cooper said.

"I feel like the pregnant population is not being recognized with the current rollout of the booster doses."

The Alberta government does not intend to prioritize people with chronic health conditions, including pregnancy.

In a statement emailed to CBC News, an Alberta Health spokesperson reiterated the government's plan to continue rolling out third doses by age groups.

"We know that age is still the greatest risk factor for severe outcomes from COVID-19, which is why Alberta is opening appointments for boosters based on age groups," said spokesperson Lisa Glover.

"We have enough doses to provide boosters starting with individuals 60 years of age and older, and additional age groups will be opened as soon as possible. As we've done before, we'll open up as quickly as we receive supply."