The COVID-19 pandemic has officially ended, prompting Canadian officials to address the financial implications of providing vaccines that many citizens no longer want. Alberta has proposed a solution: offer the vaccine for free to vulnerable populations while charging others $100 for the shot. This approach aims to balance public health needs with financial realities.

In recent years, Canada has faced significant waste in COVID vaccine supplies. In the 2023-24 period, the federal government disposed of $1.2 billion worth of unused vaccines and therapeutics. This situation has led to a shift in responsibility to the provinces, allowing the federal government to avoid accountability for the waste.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith highlighted the issue of vaccine wastage during her Saturday radio show, revealing that over a million doses were discarded in the same period. At a recent news conference, she noted that half of the COVID doses in the province had spoiled. In the 2024-25 period, 400,000 doses, valued at $44 million, went unused. Only about 14 percent of Albertans, or approximately 670,000 individuals, opted for the booster last year.

The challenge of managing vaccine supply is compounded by the way vaccines are packaged. Smith explained that vaccines are typically packaged in groups of ten. Once a package is opened, the doses must be used within 12 hours, leading to significant waste if not all doses are administered. For instance, if two individuals receive shots at different locations, several doses may go unused.

The current situation reflects a broader trend, as many people view COVID-19 as a mild illness similar to the common cold. The average age of those who died from COVID in 2020 was 84, which is higher than the average age of death in Canada in 2019.

Alberta's new policy has sparked criticism from some groups, including those who continue to take precautions against the virus. The AlbertaPolitics blog described the decision as catering to a small, vocal minority, while University of Alberta health law professor Timothy Caulfield echoed similar concerns.

Despite the backlash, the policy ensures that vulnerable populations will still have access to free vaccines. This group includes residents of group homes, in-home care recipients, the homeless, the immunocompromised, and anyone over six months old with underlying health conditions. Health-care workers will also be eligible for free vaccinations following public pressure.

As Alberta navigates this transition, the focus remains on balancing public health needs with the realities of vaccine demand and supply.