Calgary Parents Frustrated as 811 Booking System Overloads

Calgary parents are grappling with significant hurdles in Alberta’s 811 health booking system, facing disconnections and overwhelming call volumes as they attempt to secure crucial immunization appointments for their children. The frustration hit a peak for one local resident on October 20, 2025, who highlighted the absence of a phone queue and frequent disconnections impacting families.

The system is currently overwhelmed by the fall immunization campaign, which officially began on October 20, 2025. While adults can book many immunizations online, parents of children under five are required to use 811 or public health clinics for routine childhood, flu, and COVID-19 vaccines, exacerbating the booking bottleneck. Pharmacists, for instance, are not enabled to administer publicly funded vaccines to children aged two to four as part of the 2025-26 Fall Immunization Program.

This systemic challenge feels like another strain on Calgary’s already stretched healthcare resources, a sentiment echoed by broader concerns about healthcare access and a shortage of family doctors in the province. Children, particularly those in daycare, are at higher risk of illness during respiratory virus season, with influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 historically contributing to pressure on pediatric hospitals. Alberta's 811 line has previously seen soaring call volumes during respiratory illness peaks, impacting wait times. The province has acknowledged and is working to address issues of timely access and reduce wait times within its healthcare system.