The Province is pushing the pause button on the AstraZenica vaccine for those under 55.

That, while the vaccine rollout expands to include those with serious chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes or those having had a transplant.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw says people in those groups shouldn't decline the AstraZenica vaccine.

"The AstraZenica vaccine remains a good choice for those who are at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, who would otherwise have to wait several months to access a vaccine, she says. "The benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh the small potential risks in groups more likely to have severe outcomes from COVID-19 infections, such as those age 55 and older."

There were 545 new cases reported Monday with 249 of those the more contagious variants.

Dr. Hinshaw says with spring break right around the corner we need to limit our exposure to others.

"We really need to remember that the things we choose to do are going to have an impact, not just on us, not just on our family but on our community as well so I would ask all of those who are off on spring break to make sure they're continuing to follow the public health measures whatever they're doing and choosing activities that are safe, not just for them but for their communities."

There are about a million more people eligible for the vaccine with the addition of Phase 2B...
Eligible health conditions
By the end of Phase 2B, all Albertans born in 2005 or earlier (ages 16 and up) with any of the following high-risk health conditions will be able to receive the vaccine:

-A missing spleen or a spleen that is no longer working
-Cancer
-Chronic heart disease and vascular disease
-Chronic kidney diseases requiring regular medical monitoring or treatment
-Chronic liver disease due to any cause
-Chronic neurological disease
-Chronic respiratory (lung) diseases
-Diabetes requiring insulin or other anti-diabetic medication to control
-A weakened immune response due to disease or treatment
-Anyone who is currently pregnant
-Severe mental illness or substance use disorder requiring a hospital stay during the past year
-Severe obesity
-Severe or profound learning disabilities or severe developmental delay
-Solid organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients

 

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