The Alberta government has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be free for everyone — a decision that is as reckless as it is shortsighted.

This policy creates a barrier to one of our most important public health tools, discouraging people from getting vaccinated and putting more Albertans at risk. COVID-19 is still here. New variants continue to emerge. Vaccines save lives, reduce hospitalizations, and protect vulnerable people — including seniors, the immunocompromised, and children who can’t be vaccinated yet.

No other province in Canada is making people pay for these vaccines. By introducing a cost, the UCP is punishing those who take public health seriously and gambling with our collective well-being. This will inevitably lead to more illness, more workplace absences, and more strain on our already overburdened healthcare system.

We call on Premier Danielle Smith and the Alberta government to:

Reverse the decision to charge for COVID-19 vaccines.

Ensure that vaccines remain free and easily accessible for all Albertans.

Commit to public health policy that prioritizes prevention, not politics.

Public health is not a privilege. It is a right and a shared responsibility. 

Sign this petition to demand that Alberta keeps COVID-19 vaccines free for everyone.