AstraZeneca vaccine booking system an improvement, still not perfect, as Albertans face confusion over who's eligible

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Albertans born in 1958 will be eligible for AstraZeneca vaccine appointment on Thursday as some Albertans spent Wednesday confused over who could access the new shots.

Adults born in 1957 and Indigenous people born in 1972 in Alberta who don’t have a chronic illness became became eligible to sign up for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday morning. Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Wednesday that people born in 1958 will be added to the eligibility Thursday.

Eventually people aged 50 to 64 as well as First Nations, Metis and Inuit people aged 35 to 49 will be eligible for the AstraZeneca shot.

“Booking is rolling out one birth year at a time. Beginning tomorrow at 8 a.m., we will open up AstraZeneca appointments to Albertans born in 1958,” said Hinshaw. “Individuals who were eligible today will retain their eligibility and we will be adding this additional birth year.”

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Hinshaw recommended people book online or during off-peak hours to avoid the high demand that is expected on the system. She said more than 11,500 eligible Albertans were able to book their vaccination appointment by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

While appearing to smooth out some of the technical issues that plagued the rollout of vaccines for seniors aged 75 and older, there were still some Albertans who faced difficulties making their appointments.

Barry Shymanski went online Wednesday morning to book a vaccination appointment for his 64-year-old sister. Despite being able to get through quickly, he found out she was not eligible to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine because she was born in December 1956.

“They’re saying, even though she’s 64, she wasn’t born in 1957. Therefore she can’t get it and she’s never going to be able to get the AstraZeneca based on what they’re telling us,” said Shymanski.

Shere Khaw, spokeswoman for Alberta Health, said Shymanski’s sister will be eligible to book a vaccination appointment next week during Phase 2A but will have to book through a pharmacy.

“We’re so sorry for the confusion. I know it has been difficult for people with the different availability for ages and years,” said Khaw in an email. “When we originally announced the availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine, we stated that bookings would start in with those born in 1957.”

Less booking options for First Nation, Metis and Inuit people

On Wednesday, First Nations, Metis and Inuit people born in 1972 were asked to call 811 to make an appointment while others were able to book online.

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Henri Scott, from the Piikani First Nation, said it is well known booking through Health Link takes longer and there is no reason to not offer digital booking for everyone eligible.

“Online bookings exist for the other focused vaccine groups, so why wouldn’t they for the Indigenous vaccine group?” said Scott. “It’s in everyone’s best interest and ultimately, not having the online option be there is just another example of seemingly unending issues Indigenous people face when accessing health care in this country.”

Kerry Williamson, spokesman for AHS, said the difference was due to technical constraints. He said the online tool cannot yet be configured to a cohort within a birth year to book without opening the tool to everyone in that age group.

“To avoid delay, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit born in 1972 are asked to book appointments by calling 811,” said Williamson.

— With files from Lauren Boothby

dshort@postmedia.com