Community physicians will soon administer vaccines
Community physicians will soon begin administering the COVID-1 vaccine, helping more Albertans get their dose as soon as possible.
Alberta Health has been working with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) to incorporate community physicians into the vaccine distribution plan as vaccine supply increases.
This has resulted in more than 500 e[pressions of interest from Alberta physicians and stand-alone clinics. Combined, 185 physician clinics containing 1,100 physicians will create additional capacity for an estimated 14,000 daily doses, as supply allows. Some physicians are already assisting Alberta Health Services (AHS) with vaccine administration. The first community physicians are e[pected to begin administering vaccines in their clinics in April. New temporary billing codes are being added to the schedule of medical benefits to allow physicians to bill for this service. A medical bulletin outlining the details will be issued in the coming days.
³Albertans look to their family physicians as a trusted primary source of health care. Community physicians who are joining the effort to administer COVID-1 vaccines to everyone who wants one, will offer Albertans additional ways to receive the vaccine and protect themselves against this very real threat to their health.”
Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health ³3hysicians are eager to know that their patients are being protected from COVID-1 . Those family physicians who are able to participate ± in their own clinics or through the new rapid flow sites ± will make a substantial difference and enhance Alberta’s response to the pandemic.”
Dr. 3aul Boucher, president, Alberta Medical Association Alberta Health is currently reviewing all e[pressions of interest. Once this review is complete, interested physicians will be contacted to:
Validate their interest. Organize logistics for supply distribution and record management.
Initially, a limited number of clinics will be able to offer the COVID-1 vaccines however, vaccine supply is e[pected to increase during the coming weeks and the number of community clinics administering the vaccine will e[pand along with supply.
3lanning is underway for rapid flow clinics involving physicians and other healthcare professionals that can be used in the future, if needed. These clinics would be used if Alberta received an une[pected surge in vaccine supply.
To date, 368,124 doses of COVID-1 vaccine have been administered in Alberta, with 1,5 3 people fully immunized with two doses.
Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-1 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health-care system. 4uick facts Billing code info will be posted on the Alberta Health Care Insurance 3lan Bulletins page.
For rapid flow through clinics, it is e[pected that an Alternative Relationship 3lan (AR3) will be the method of payment, and discussions with AHS and AMA are underway to finalize. There are appro[imately 5,600 family physicians in Alberta.
Alberta Health and the AMA are working collaboratively to help ensure Alberta’s vaccine supply is effectively and efficiently utilized and Albertans have access to information to inform their vaccine decisions from trusted sources.