COVID-19 Immunization

Guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose
To provide guidance for the delivery of COVID-19 immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic and assist immunization providers with measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19.

Immunization for COVID-19 is essential to:
 protect Albertans from COVID-19, especially those at high risk for severe illness and death;

 eventually lift the restrictions placed on our society to keep people safe and healthy Given the limited initial vaccine supply, the COVID19 immunization program is being offered in a phased approach. Please follow operational guidelines to assess eligibility.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) (Public Health and Workplace Health and Safety) will be the primary immunization service provider for the initial phases of the program.

In the context of COVID-19, the need to maintain physical distancing and prevent crowding will be very important in determining the number and flow of people within immunization clinics. Measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 include appropriate:
 Venue set up and immunization clinic operations.
 Environmental infection prevention and control processes at venues and clinics.
 Infection prevention and control for health practitioners.
 Post immunization after-care guidance.
 Considerations when immunizing in congregate care facilities.

Venue set up and clinic operations
 Staff and volunteers must follow their employer’s policies for COVID-19 symptom and exposure risk screening.
 Staff and volunteers must complete a selfassessment tool each day before starting work

Staff and volunteers must not work at an immunization clinic if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or were instructed to isolate or
quarantine, or have returned from travel outside Canada in the last 14 days.
 Active screening of patients/clients must be incorporated into immunization workflows.
 Patients/clients with symptoms of COVID-19 must not attend the immunization clinic. They should complete the online self-assessment
tool or call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing.
 Provide hand sanitizer or hand washing facilities upon entering and exiting the venue.
 When determining the number of patients/clients that can be scheduled in a given time period, two-metre physical distance
requirements must be considered in the context of the size of the site.
 Patients/clients should wear a non-medical mask while attending a clinic for COVID-19 immunization. Consider providing masks for
those who come without (as opposed to turning them away).
 Signage should be displayed at the entrance of the venue to inform individuals attending the clinic to:
o Not to enter if they have any COVID-19 compatible symptoms, were instructed to isolate/quarantine, or returned from travel
outside Canada in the last 14 days.
o Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when entering.
o Wear a mask.
o Practice respiratory etiquette.
o Maintain physical distancing of two metres.
o Follow the directional signage.
o Examples of signage can be found at:
alberta.ca/covid-19-informationposters.aspx