Hospital Vaccinations: Doctors Call for Access, Province Cites Capacity Strain

Alberta Doctors Advocate for Hospital Vaccinations

Alberta pediatricians are urging the province to routinely offer childhood immunizations within children's hospitals to combat alarmingly low vaccination rates. Despite their persistent calls, the Alberta government has firmly rejected the proposal, citing significant pressure on these specialized facilities and the need to protect highly vulnerable patients.

Balancing Access and Capacity

Medical professionals highlight a critical need for action, noting that only 68% of Alberta children who turned two were up-to-date with two doses of the measles vaccine, falling well short of the 95% target. This shortfall is particularly concerning as Canada recently lost its measles elimination designation, with Alberta accounting for approximately 38% of the nation's total measles cases. Doctors, including Dr. Sam Wong of the Alberta Medical Association, note that hospital encounters often present opportune moments for vaccination, as parents of unimmunized children are frequently willing to proceed.

However, the government maintains that children's hospitals are primarily for complex care and are already experiencing substantial strain. While committed to improving immunization rates, the province is instead focusing on expanding access through public health clinics, offering walk-in and extended-hour options. This approach, they contend, alleviates pressure on hospitals, which are also benefiting from a recent plan to add over 1,000 new acute care beds to ease system-wide demands.