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Tag: Alberta government

A Canadian Province Released a COVID Report Full of Pseudoscience. Who Wrote It, and Why?

Last week the province of Alberta published a report on its pandemic-response calling for COVID vaccines to be restricted to “high-risk groups” and to stop “their use in healthy children and teenagers.” A mix of vaccine skeptics, fringe academics, and a Trump-appointee were behind it.

The report also recommends regulators, namely the province’s medical licensing body, be stripped of powers to discipline doctors who promote risky and ineffective off-label treatments.

The report has garnered nationwide criticism from the scientific and medical communities, with dozens of experts calling on the government to officially dismiss the report in an open letter. Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the Canadian Medical Association, said the report was “an unfortunate use of public dollars” that funneled CAD$2,000,000 into furthering misinformation. She said it will cause harm globally, as it will be referenced in jurisdictions outside of Canada.

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‘Bad science’: Academics tear apart Alberta’s $2-million report on COVID

False narratives in a new $2-million report on COVID 19 in Alberta send Albertans the wrong signals, said a former chief medical officer of health for the province.

An adjunct professor at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health, Dr. James Talbot said the 269-page report released late last Friday cherry-picks information and includes unproven ideas, including that the vaccine is ineffective and potentially harmful.

“We’ve given literally billions of doses of this vaccine around the world with the best surveillance we’ve ever had. This is one of the safest, most effective vaccines that we’ve ever had,” he said.

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Alberta doctors push back on provincial COVID-19 task force report

I think it was a waste of time. It was a waste of money. And under no circumstances should the recommendations be implemented until there’s been a full and expert public discussion of the report.

— Dr. James Talbot, former chief medical officer of health for Alberta

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Alberta government weighs future of COVID-19 vaccination as federal program winds down

No answer on whether COVID shots will continue to be free in Alberta once change takes effect

The future of Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccination program is unclear with federal funding set to end this summer.

Ottawa has been paying for the shots and distributing them across the country since they became available.

But the Public Health Agency of Canada quietly announced, last week, the provinces and territories will take over purchasing their own supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

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No flu or COVID-19 vaccines for medical clinics as Alberta’s fall immunization launch nears

Family doctors and nurse practitioners have been told they will not be receiving deliveries of flu or COVID-19 vaccines in time for the fall immunization program launch later this month. And it is unclear if they will get any at all.

In addition to AHS public health clinics and pharmacies, community medical clinics can administer publicly funded vaccines, including those that protect against COVID and influenza.

But shipments of vaccines — to these clinics — have stopped, jeopardizing their participation in the fall immunization campaign.

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Fallout ensues after the closure of long-COVID outpatient program

Those suffering from long-COVID in Alberta are fighting back after the government informed them the Long-COVID Inter-Professional Outpatient Program was ending.

For some, COVID feels like a distant memory, a time when the world seemed to stop as everyone navigated the pandemic. Yet for many, it’s not in the rearview mirror, it’s still an ever-present reality and daily fight.

Jennifer Hare has had long-COVID for three years.

“Literally, my entire life is planned whereas before, I was a normal human being,” said Hare.

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Alberta shuts down long-COVID program

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is closing down its long-COVID outpatient program that had been operating since 2021.

In a letter to patients dated Aug. 8, AHS says the program has concluded.

“Your health and well-being remain a priority, and we are committed to ensuring you receive support during the transition,” it reads.

“We understand that this change might be challenging for some and thank you for your understanding and co-operation during this transition period.”

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