Alberta government must immediately drop plan to make health care workers pay for COVID vaccine

For immediate release: Monday, June 16, 2025

‘This policy is wrong for health care workers and wrong for all Albertans’ – UNA President Heather Smith

The Alberta government must immediately change its planned vaccination policy and provide COVID-19 vaccinations on demand and without charge to all health care workers.

United Nurses of Alberta was dismayed by Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange’s unexpected and politically motivated announcement late Friday that the government plans to make most Albertans including health care workers pay for COVID vaccinations.

“This is an extremely dangerous policy that will increase health care costs as well as stress on the health care system,” said UNA President Heather Smith. “The government’s claim that this is being done to save money and recover costs makes no sense from a moral or logical perspective. This policy is wrong for health care workers and wrong for all Albertans.”

However, Smith said, “the decision to force health care workers to pay what may be a significant amount for immunization against this dangerous disease is outrageous and will put thousands of Albertans who have no choice but to seek care in health facilities at risk when they are most vulnerable and endanger thousands of their caregivers.”

“It is absolutely irresponsible to force health care workers in both public and private workplaces to place orders in August and pay to receive a vaccine that is an essential component of workplace health and safety,” she stated. “This will drive even more health care workers out of Alberta.”

Smith noted that UNA has been hearing from members deeply concerned by the policy. “As one member told me, ‘public health must not be a political endeavour.’” 

“Once again this government has completely ignored both the expertise and safety of health care workers,” Smith said. 

UNA’s Occupational Health and Safety and Professional Responsibility teams will be meeting and reporting on possible strategies to take action if the government persists with this dangerous policy.