Albertans 18 years of age and older can book appointments for a second booster dose of mRNA vaccine five months or more after receiving their first booster dose. 

The province says starting Wednesday adults can start booking appointments.

"We know that new variants of the COVID-19 virus will continue to emerge, and the best form of defence continues to be prevention. I urge all Albertans who have not already done so to access their first booster dose to help lower their risk of infection and severe outcomes and to carefully consider their own risk factors when making choices about when to get a second booster of COVID-19 vaccine," said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health. 

Bookings can be made online by using the Alberta vaccine booking system or by calling 811. 

Select pharmacies will be accepting walk-in appointments. 

It is also recommended to wait at least three months after a COVID-19 infection before getting a booster dose.

Data suggests that the Omicron BA.5 variant is more transmissible but does not indicate an increased risk of severe outcomes. 

It's hoped that by expanding the availability of second COVID-19 booster doses will give at-risk Albertans more choices about increasing their protection during this period of increased community transmission.

Those who have received one dose of Janssen at least two months ago are now eligible for a booster dose. 

Due to limited supply, appointments can only be booked by calling 811.