With the coronavirus vaccine roll-out underway in Alberta, so are phone scams.

Fraudsters are trying to take advantage of Albertans, especially seniors, who are eager to receive immunization.

The fraudulent callers claim they can get someone a vaccination—for a fee.

These claims are false.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hinshaw tweeted a warning about the phone scam on February 4, 2021.

Hinshaw tweet - February 4 about phone scam

 

Report the Fraud

Anyone who hears from phone scammers is asked to report it to a local law enforcement agency’s anti-fraud/scam unit via the police non-emergency telephone line. 

You can contact 211 if you need assistance finding the phone number to use to report the scam in your area:

  • ☎️ Dial 2-1-1
  • 📱 Text INFO to 211
  • 🖥️ Live chat via ab.211.ca

 

Vaccine Delivery in Alberta

Vaccine delivery across the province is being implemented exclusively by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and is free of charge.

There is no waitlist, so don’t trust someone who claims to be able to move you up the waitlist.  

The Canadian government is responsible for supplying the COVID-19 vaccine, and the provincial government sets vaccine policy and allocation plans.

 

Vaccine Distribution Timeline

AHS has set a timeline for vaccine distribution in 2021 and beyond.

Early Phase 1: December 2020

  • Focus on acute care sites with the highest COVID-19 capacity concerns:
    • Healthcare workers in intensive care units
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Staff in long term care (LTC) and designated supportive living (DSL) facilities

Phase 1A: January 2021

  • Respiratory therapists
  • Healthcare workers in intensive care units
  • Staff in LTC and DSL facilities
  • Home care workers
  • Healthcare workers in emergency departments
  • All residents of LTC and DSL facilities, regardless of age
  • Healthcare workers in COVID-19 units, medical and surgical units and operating rooms
  • Paramedics and emergency medical responders

Phase 1B: February 2021 

  • Seniors 75 years of age and over, no matter where they live
  • First Nations, Métis and persons 65 years of age and over living in a First Nations community or Metis Settlement

Phase 2: April to September 2021

  • Work to identify sequencing for Phase 2 groups is underway. Decisions will be made in the coming weeks.

Phase 3: Fall 2021

  • Anticipated start of roll-out to the general public

 

The Vaccines in Use

There are two vaccines being utilized in Canada:

Due to the fluctuations in world-wide vaccine supply, adjustments are being made to the implementation plan. The timing and phases are subject to change.

 

A Time for Patience

Albertans are being asked to be patient until their turn to be vaccinated comes.

In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to continue to follow all public health guidelines to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. 

 

Testing helps with Safety

Testing is available to:

  • Albertans with symptoms of COVID-19 
  • Albertans who are close contacts of a confirmed case, whether symptomatic or not (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17221.aspx)
  • Albertans who are linked to a known outbreak, whether symptomatic or not.
  • Albertans who need COVID-19 testing for outgoing travel (provided by DynaLife Medical Labs for a fee). 

If you do not have symptoms and do not fall into the above list, you are not recommended for COVID-19 testing.

Anyone who has symptoms is legally required to isolate and should be tested for COVID-19.