EDMONTON – In a partial policy reversal, Alberta’s government said Tuesday it will cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers.

Maddison McKee, spokesperson to Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, said in an email that COVID-19 vaccine coverage will be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province’s vaccination rollout.

“Immunization will remain voluntary,” said McKee.

It comes two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for COVID-19 shots this season.

Public health experts and health-care unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace.