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15 years of age who are at very high risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 and are at increased risk of exposure. The immunization provider must seek informed consent with the individual and the parent or guardian, including information about the lack of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children. Is anyone ineligible for COVID-19 immunization? Who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine? The Pfizer vaccine is licensed for anyone 16 years of age and older and Moderna vaccine is licensed for anyone 18 years of age and older. It will be offered to anyone in these age groups. Anybody with a current infection of COVID-19 should wait to be immunized until the isolating period is over, meaning 10 days from the start of symptoms or until symptoms have improved and they have been non-feverish for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, whichever is longer. Canadians who receive any other vaccine, including their influenza immunization, should wait at least 14 days before getting immunized against COVID-19. The following groups should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine: • people who have had an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine. • people who have severe hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine. There is no data about the use of COVID-19 vaccines in individuals who are immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding, however, with the exception of Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) and Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) clients, a COVID-19 immunization can be offered without a risk assessment from their doctor, following an acknowledgment from the individual requesting immunization that there no evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccine in these populations. NACI recommends additional research and surveillance of COVID-19 immunization, particularly for populations not currently included in clinical trials (e.g., people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised, and seniors living in congregate care settings). Will COVID-19 vaccine be mandatory in Alberta? Immunization will not be mandatory in Alberta, including the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is highly encouraged and recommended. The Government of Alberta recognizes immunization as one of the most important ways to protect and promote the health of Albertans. When immunization schedules are followed, vac - cines are highly effective at preventing disease in those who receive them. We choose an approach that is collaborative rather than mandatory because we want to encourage conversations on the benefits of immunization, while still respecting Albertans’ right to make informed decisions about their own health. Can my employer require me to be immunized? Yes, private employers can require employees to be immunized as part of their company policy or as a required precondition of employment. Some employers have occupational health and safety policies that require some immunizations as a condition of employment to protect themselves and others around them. Employers may ask that employees present their immunization records, to have them on file to determine who is at risk of infection in the event of an outbreak or if an individual is exposed to someone with a communicable disease. It is recommended that employees speak with their employer about their specific occupational health and safety immunization policy.
O u r L a n d . O u r C u l t u r e . O u r F u t u r e .
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