Blaming “false statements on social media” for the confusion, the Alberta Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services has amended its website vaccination pre-ordering page to say that Albertans will still be able to book COVID-19 and influenza websites next year even if they don’t pre-order now.
Until today, the statement on the government’s BookVaccine.Alberta.ca website stated: “Pre-ordering of vaccines for the 2026-2027 immunization season starts on September 29 and ends on December 15. Vaccines can only be pre-ordered during this period.”
That was amended yesterday after criticism and sharp commentary appeared on social media to read: “Pre-ordering for the 2026–2027 immunization season starts on September 29 and ends December 15. Pre-ordering helps secure vaccines, reduce wastage, and support responsible spending. Albertans can still book next year if they don’t pre-order.”
That’s reassuring, but it does raise the question: Will there be enough vaccine for everyone if few people pre-order?
“Vaccines must be ordered well in advance of the fall respiratory season, as manufacturers require provinces and territories to commit to quantities early,” wrote Maddison McKee, press secretary to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, in a statement sent to media. “Producing seasonal respiratory vaccines, completing quality control, and securing regulatory approvals take several months.”
McKee’s statement concluded: “The pre-ordering tool helps forecast future vaccine needs and minimize waste, while also supporting the planning of immunization clinics by giving officials a clearer understanding of expected volumes. It is not the only factor that determines the size of Alberta’s order. Previous and current year actuals are also important to consider. Albertans who don’t pre-order can still book their vaccine next year.”
This explanation is accurate enough, although it is important to note that the “false statements” referenced in the email were based on misleading information published on the government’s own website. It is far from obvious how asking citizens to book more than a year in advance will give officials a clearer understanding of actual demand in 2026-2027.
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