Promoting and protecting the health of the public through advocacy, partnerships and education |
Public Health Issues
The Alberta Public Health Association (APHA) is concerned by the Alberta government’s decision to restrict no-cost access to COVID-19 vaccine to only high-risk groups, while limiting access to public health clinics and requiring most Albertans to pay out-of-pocket for immunization.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be provided at no-cost to the following population groups:
- all residents of continuing care homes and seniors supportive living accommodations home care clients
- individuals six months of age and older with an eligible underlying medical condition and compromised immune systems
- health care workers
- individuals experiencing homelessness
- individuals 65 and older receiving the Alberta Seniors Benefit
The changes to this year’s approach—including narrowing eligibility for publicly funded vaccines, removing access through pharmacies, and introducing out-of-pocket costs—are deeply concerning. This shift reduces informed choice and creates barriers for Albertans.
The APHA is particularly concerned about the following:
- COVID-19 vaccines will only be available at a cost ($100) for the general population, which will limit access and undermine vaccine uptake.
- COVID-19 vaccines will not be available at pharmacies, which will limit access for rural communities and others who rely on these providers for seasonal vaccination.
- Omission of certain high-risk groups including family caregivers who care for family members with an underlying medical condition or compromised immune system as well as Albertans and families living with low-income. This will create barriers for at-risk Albertans.
The impact of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, on public health requires effective and equitable responses to minimize health, societal and economic impacts. One of the most critical tools in combating communicable diseases is universal access to vaccination.
While fiscal responsibility and efforts to reduce COVID-19 vaccine wastage are important, public health decisions must prioritize equitable access, disease prevention and collective protection. COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat to health and health systems, particularly for marginalized and disadvantaged communities and groups. Universal access to vaccination remains one of the most effective and efficient tools to fostering community immunity and reducing severe illness, hospitalizations, adverse and long-term health impacts of communicable diseases as well as reducing health system costs to manage and treat communicable diseases such as COVID-19.
We believe all Albertans deserve timely, equitable access to vaccines—regardless of where they live, their income, or their ability to navigate complex systems. Vaccines are not merely personal protective measures—they are a public good. Alberta’s new policy risks burdening our health system, exacerbating health inequities, weakening immunization coverage, and increasing the likelihood of future outbreaks.
The APHA urges the Government of Alberta to reconsider aspects of the current approach to ensure that no one is left behind. The APHA recommends the Alberta government:
1) Restore universally accessible, publicly funded COVID-19 immunization for all residents.
2) Provide transparent, clear and consistent communication on vaccine access and the importance of vaccination.
3) Provide leadership and uphold immunization as a core public health function.
TAKE ACTION
We are calling on APHA members and all Albertans to take action and encourage the Alberta government to reconsider the approach to restricting access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Please feel free to download, adjust and send the following letter to the Minister of Primary and Preventive Health Services and/or your MLA. You can find your MLA’s contact information here.More information on accessing the COVID-19 vaccine
You can find more information about the Government of Alberta's COVID-19 immunization approach here.
To access the COVID-19 vaccine, all Albertans can use the Alberta Vaccine Booking System until September 30, 2025 to register for COVID-19 immunizations. Those who pre-order will receive a text or email notification in October to book an appointment and confirm eligibility. When pre-ordering for the 2025-26 season the system allows Albertans to also pre-order their vaccine for the 2026-27 season. Albertans who do not pre-order by September 30, 2025, can still book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment once vaccines become available in October.
Public Health Issues
Health System Refocusing – A Call for Transparent, Evidence-Based Reform
The Alberta Public Health Association (APHA) and the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) are concerned about Alberta’s Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (Bill 55), which consolidates control over public health under the direct authority of the provincial government. The bill moves Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) and public health inspectors from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to Alberta Health, while transferring communicable disease control and other critical public health activities to a newly created agency, Primary Care Alberta.
While we recognize the need for improved coordination and efficiency in health service delivery, CPHA and APHA caution that the changes in Bill 55 risk undermining the effectiveness, integrity, and independence of public health in Alberta.
Ensuring Effectiveness Through Public Health Stakeholder Engagement
These sweeping reforms appear to have been introduced with minimal direct consultation with public health leaders, health professionals, or affected communities. A policy shift of this magnitude requires transparent dialogue and evidence-based planning that can be provided by public health stakeholders.
Maintaining the Integrity of Public Health
Public health requires the ability to act quickly and impartially, particularly during health emergencies. The current model, which grants MOHs a degree of operational independence, is essential to maintaining public confidence and ensuring science-based decision-making. Centralizing public health roles directly under ministerial authority creates the potential for political interference, weakening the ability of MOHs to communicate risk and act in the public’s best interest. To address this, the Alberta government should establish a leadership structure that connects MOHs to the full range of public health functions across the newly created agencies, ensuring that public health voices remain central to decision-making. Additionally, there should be allowances for MOHs to maintain, and strengthen, relationships with municipalities and other stakeholders in order to effectively improve and protect population health.
Reducing Fragmentation of Public Health Functions
APHA and CPHA are also concerned about the decision to shift responsibility for key public health functions to Primary Care Alberta. Public health relies on community-based, integrated, and coordinated approaches that span surveillance, disease prevention, health promotion, health protection, and emergency response. Fragmenting these functions into an already overburdened primary care system risks reducing the coherence and effectiveness of the public health system, potentially leading to gaps in response, loss of institutional knowledge, and slower containment of public health threats. Furthermore, fragmentation of public health functions raises concerns about medical oversight and support for the functions moving to Primary Care Alberta, which is typically a role filled by MOHs as medical experts in public health and preventive medicine.
APHA and CPHA Recommend the Province of Alberta:
- Engage meaningfully with public health professionals, Indigenous health leaders, frontline providers, and communities to design reforms that truly meet Albertans’ needs.
- Prioritize transparent, timely, and consistent communication about the goals, processes, and anticipated impacts of these reforms to build public trust and foster collaboration with public health stakeholders.
- Preserve the integrity of MOHs by establishing clear legislative safeguards that protect their ability to act based on science and public health best practices.
- Maintain the integrity of public health functions within a strong, integrated public health system that is designed to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats with coherence and accountability.
At a time when public trust in health institutions is fragile there is a need for a coordinated, science-driven public health system.
Events and Learning OpportunitiesNational Townhall on Canada’s 5% by 2035 Commercial Tobacco Reduction Target Registration is now open for the National Townhall on Canada’s 5 by 35 Tobacco Reduction Target Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025 Location: Calgary Hyatt Regency Hotel Registration: Click here to register Canada’s commercial tobacco endgame was launched in 2016 at a national summit at Queen’s University. Two years later, Health Canada officially adopted the endgame target of reducing the rate of commercial tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035. We are now at the midpoint of this ambitious goal, and overall national smoking rates are at an all-time low and are trending toward less than 5% by 2035. However, progress needs to be sustained to achieve this target. Despite the progress, commercial tobacco use remains well above the average rate among marginalized and disadvantaged communities and groups populations. More effective and targeted efforts are needed to reduce commercial tobacco use among all communities and groups. Several national commercial tobacco control leaders will be presenting, including Dr. Michael Chaiton, Rob Cunningham, Dr. Lorraine Greaves, Les Hagen and others.
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) Practice-based Workshops Date: dates vary through October and November Registration: Click here to learn more and registerRegistration is now open for the NCCMT practice-based workshops. These workshops help prepare you to meet the demands of today’s public health challenges. These practice-based sessions use real-world examples to develop your skills for integrating evidence in your practice. Upcoming sessions include:
National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (NCCHPP) Upcoming Webinar: The Many Facets of Health in All Policies in Canada Date: Thursday, September 25 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EDT) Registration: Click here to register
Please note that this webinar will be bilingual and simultaneous translation in English and French will be available. |
Why Public Health MattersThe Alberta Public Heath Association works to support, champion, and protect public health. We are working to highlight issues that underscore the importance of prioritizing Public Health during these challenging times of limited public health resources, healthcare system reorganization and divisive public health discourse. Learn more about why Public Health matters: What is Public Health and why should we care about it What has Public Health done for me? The health of Albertans 1924 to today Public Health and First Nation Albertans: A call for collaboration |
Become an APHA MemberWe need your help! Become a member and help strengthen the voice of public health in Alberta. The Alberta Public Health Association (APHA) is a provincial volunteer-driven, not-for-profit association representing public health in Alberta and is Alberta’s only independent public health voice. We have a voluntary membership representing a variety of disciplines including practitioners, students, academics and researchers, non-government organizations, community members and more. Why join the APHA Public health in Alberta is facing many challenges including a lack of capacity, limited resources, health services reorganization, and a divisive public health policy environment. A strong public health voice matters more than ever in these difficult times. As an independent non-profit organization that transcends professional roles and sectors, the APHA plays an essential role in championing, protecting, and supporting public health in Alberta. However, the challenges faced by public health have impacted the essential role that APHA plays. We are looking for dedicated members to help us strengthen the voice of public health in Alberta. |