The new clinic is one of a range of initiatives to help increase vaccination rates in the northeast, along with targeted clinics for businesses with large workforces in the area, and temporary clinics run jointly with community primary care providers. Alberta Health Services is working with the community to finalize a location for the drive-through clinic next week.

“Nearly 60 per cent of eligible Albertans have received a first dose of vaccine, a huge accomplishment that has positioned us to be ‘Open for Summer.’ We need to keep up the momentum by trying new approaches and working with new partners to increase access for people in northeast Calgary and any other community where there are challenges.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health

“I am pleased to see this option available for the hard-working people of northeast Calgary. Thank you to our community partners for their exemplary work to ensure more Albertans have access to the vaccines. We must work together, while encouraging and supporting one another. By doing that, we are all part of the solution.”

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social Services and MLA for Calgary-North East

“Everyone deserves their chance to get the vaccine, barrier-free. Social services agencies, community groups, faith-based groups, AHS and government have worked together tirelessly to ensure we work collaboratively, share information, identify opportunities to increase access to vaccination and help guide the community through the pandemic.”

Anila Umar Lee Yuen, president & CEO, Centre for Newcomers

“We are very proud of the work of all our teams and partners as we have planned, delivered and expanded our testing and vaccination programs in northeast Calgary and across the zone.”

Nick Thain, senior operating officer, AHS Calgary Zone

In recent weeks, health officials have taken a number of steps to increase vaccine access in northeast Calgary:

  • The Genesis Centre and an AHS site at Northgate Village Mall are offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment seven days a week, with more than 71,000 doses administered since opening in March.
  • Vaccinations are also available at 35 nearby pharmacies and selected physicians’ offices.
  • With support from the City of Calgary, the Genesis Centre clinic recently expanded from 10 to 40 vaccination stations in a larger space.
  • Community-specific clinics have been held and are being expanded, including recent extended-hours clinics to support access to vaccine during the observance of Ramadan.
  • A clinic for the Ismaili community was held in April and another will be held for this community in mid-June.

AHS is also continuing to work with the community, including holding special clinics for Ismaili residents, holding community information sessions to answer questions about vaccination and COVID-19, and supporting the Alex Health Centre and the Centre for Newcomers to encourage vaccinations.

Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect our health-care system.

Quick facts

  • Any Albertan age 12 and up can book a vaccination through a participating pharmacy or AHS. Bookings are available online, by calling 811 or by calling a participating pharmacy directly.
  • As of May 25, Alberta had administered 2.58 million doses of vaccine and protected 58 per cent of the population age 12 and older.
  • As of May 25, 1,021,863 doses have been administered to people living in Calgary Zone, including 829,587 doses to those in the City of Calgary.
  • Community vaccination rates are updated daily in an interactive map online at alberta.ca.