Alberta COVID-19 vaccine booking system opens, with some hiccups
Posted February 24, 2021 1:07 pm.
Last Updated February 24, 2021 1:11 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It’s unclear exactly when B.C. will begin vaccination clinics for the general public will be up and running, with more details expected on Monday.
But over in Alberta, the booking system went live Wednesday morning, and thousands of appointments have already been scheduled.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said more than 20,000 appointments have been booked for Albertans age 75 and older.
The numbers keep climbing. Over 20,000 Albertans, aged 75 plus, are now booked in for their COVID-19 immunization.
— Alberta Health Services (@AHS_media) February 24, 2021
The numbers come despite frustrations over delays on the website, with several users saying the online tool crashed minutes after it opened at 8 a.m.
Four minutes after the online vaccinations booking link went live in Alberta. #COVID19AB #AHS pic.twitter.com/4FCmGCpwyX
— AndrewMacDonaldSmith (@drewmacsmith) February 24, 2021
Just sobbing, so angry that the f*cking ahs website crashed as I was making an appt for beloved family members. #ahs #UCP
— Jana O'Connor (@irrelevantjana) February 24, 2021
#ahs #vaccinerollout system must already be overloaded even though they said this wouldn't happen #yeg
— Casandra P (@cas85) February 24, 2021
AHS issued a statement saying the site is experiencing high volume and asking people to be patient.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw issued the same plea on Twitter saying staff are working very hard to make sure that every eligible senior gets immunized as soon as possible.
Our healthcare teams are working very hard to make sure that every eligible senior gets immunized as soon as possible. Everyone who is eligible will get their chance.
Thank you for being patient as we work to immunize Albertans as safely and quickly as possible. https://t.co/Og4m5rzKN1
— Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (@CMOH_Alberta) February 24, 2021
Alberta’s Healthlink 811 service is also experiencing high demand with many Albertans saying they are constantly waiting to get through to the telephone service.
Hundreds of calls have also been made to 911 instead of 811 with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) saying they’ve received close to 100 calls to 911 regarding vaccine bookings.
Both EPS and the Calgary Police Service are urging people to not phone 911 in these cases.
10,000 Alberta seniors aged 75 and older are now booked in to receive the vaccine. Additional Health Link staff is on hand to manage the added call volumes, and appointments remain available. We thank all Albertans aged 75+ for their support of the COVID-19 vaccine program.
— Alberta Health Services (@AHS_media) February 24, 2021
