There are currently no COVID-19 vaccines available in the province.
That is the result of a Health Canada directive, as announced in an update for pharmacy service providers by Alberta Blue Cross, regarding the 2024-2025 fall immunization program.
The bulletin states that all immunizers, including pharmacists, were ordered to stop administering the COVID-19 XBB vaccine by Aug. 31, “as per national guidance” and it also stated that all XBB vaccine must be removed from “physical and AVI inventory no later than Sept. 6,” and be accounted for in Alberta’s vaccine inventory management system (AVI).
According to the document, a new KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be ready in the coming weeks and available for use this fall.
“It is anticipated that this formulation will better protect against currently circulating strains of COVID-19,” reads the bulletin, adding that Alberta Health is planning to distribute the new COVID-19 vaccine in early October.
“Pending product availability, pharmacists can begin to administer the newly anticipated KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine to the general public on October 15, 2024,” the bulletin read, noting that pharmacists may not administer the new vaccine to the general public, no matter the individual’s risk, prior to that date.
Both Moderna and Pfizer KP.2 COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available to pharmacies and with no non-mRNA vaccine available for the fall season in Canada, including Alberta.
In a follow-up email, Health Canada released a statement that said they are “currently reviewing, on an expedited basis, submissions from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax for updated COVID-19 vaccines” and should they meet Health Canada’s standards for safety, efficacy and quality, the department expects to authorize the vaccines in time for a planned fall campaigns.
“Once approved, updated COVID-19 vaccines will replace the current supply,” read the statement, noting that withdrawing previous XBB vaccines is part of regulatory and supply management best practices that are consistent with the approach to annual influenza vaccines.
The statement also said provinces and territories are responsible for their respective immunization campaigns, but the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), collaborates with them on a transition plan to move from current vaccine supply to updated vaccines that target current strains. The plan provides each province and territory the flexibility to ensure ongoing access to current supply until new vaccines are approved. This includes a period of transition to full removal.
The Government of Canada also maintains a federal reserve of XBB vaccines for any unexpected public health need.
