Police, firefighters waiting for word on vaccines

Edmonton emergency workers are waiting to find out when they will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Edmonton police and Edmonton fire services both confirmed they have not received confirmation from Alberta Health regarding when they may be eligible to make vaccination appointments.

“The EPS has been in discussions with Alberta Health and is assured first responders are being considered for the next phase of vaccine deployment,” said police spokeswoman Cheryl Voordenhout in an email Friday. “Our officers are committed to the public good and will wait their turn behind those who are highest priority.”

The provincial government is currently in Phase 1 of the rollout, which includes certain health-care workers and residents and employees at designated supportive and long-term care homes.

Tom Mcmillan, Alberta Health spokesman, said they would like to vaccinate several more groups however there is still limited supply of the vaccine coming to the province.

“We recognize the important role of firefighters, police agencies and all first responders,” said Mcmillan. “As the supply of vaccines increases, we'll expand our approach. No decisions have been made on the specific priority populations or groups in Phase 2.”

EMS first responders were not initially included in Phase 1, however they were added to the list of Albertans eligible for the vaccine after their unions put pressure on the government.

Brittany Lewchuk, spokeswoman for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, said that while fire crews wait for their shots their top priority remains public safety. She said the City of Edmonton recognizes firefighters are at a higher risk to catch COVID -19 and they are working with the province to assist in the rollout.

“The city is supporting Alberta Health Services in vaccine rollout in order to reach all Edmontonians as quickly as possible,” said Lewchuk. “In the meantime, the City of Edmonton continues to provide training and equipment to help firefighters comply with all Alberta Health guidelines.”

Nathalie Batres, a spokeswoman for Mayor Don Iveson's office, said the city hopes the province is considering Edmonton's most vulnerable populations for Phase 2.

“We hope, and expect, as part of their ongoing work with the city that the province considers municipal first responders, like firefighters, and vulnerable Edmontonians, such as those experiencing homelessness, in their prioritization of vaccine rollout,” said Batres.

Phase 2 of the province's vaccine rollout plan is scheduled to run from April to September, according to details on the government's website.