The Community
Press Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Volume 113, Issue 36
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New Constable arrives at RCMP Detachment Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Killam RCMP Detachment has a new member, Cst. Nick Daigle. Daigle is in his fourth year as an RCMP member, he transitioned from one front-line position to another after previously serving for seven years as a paramedic before starting a career in policing. “I really wanted to join the RCMP,” he says. He put in his first application back when he was 18. Daigle graduated from Depot in 2017, and his first posting was in the City of Red Deer, quite a change from his rural roots in Atlantic Canada. “My Red Deer posting was at a big detachment.” Daigle says he really enjoyed his time there, and since working as an RCMP has found his paramedic skills have also come in handy once or twice. Daigle grew up in a small town though, and wanted to return to a rural area. When he saw that a posting was available at the Killam Detachment, he didn’t hesitate See NEW CST. P9
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ‘PRESS Providence Place in Daysland focused on the positives Page 10 Galahad Skating Committee promoting outdoor skating facility Page 9 Forestburg business owner featured in new Home Hardware commercial Page 7
Cst. Nick Daigle recently arrived in Flagstaff to take up his post at the Killam RCMP Detachment. Daigle transferred to Killam from Red Deer.
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Province upgrades vaccination booking tool in preparation of next phase, opens up choices for earlier access for some age groups Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Alberta’s vaccine scheduling tool went offline for a brief period between midnight Monday, March 9, and 2 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, to prepare for the next wave of vaccinations. “Combined, AHS and 811 have the capacity to book approximately 5,000 individuals an hour,” said AHS on Tuesday. Starting today, Wednesday, March 10, Albertans born in 1957, or First Nation, Métis, or Inuit individuals born in 1972 can book an appointment to receive the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccines. In general, Alberta Health is recommending Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine for Albertans, 18 to 64 without a contraindication such as a severe reaction to a vaccine ingredient. This group will be able to book an immunization appointment using the AHS online booking tool, or by calling HealthLink at 811. A second grouping is all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit born in 1972 (or earlier). This group can book appointments by
calling 811. “This is another big step in our vaccine rollout. Almost half a million more Albertans can now look forward to booking their appointment in the coming weeks,” says Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. As well, Albertans born between 1958 and 1971 and First Nation, Métis or Inuit individuals born between 1973 and 1986 will be eligible to book by year of birth, one year at a time, over the following days dependent on the vaccine supply. Albertans under age 65 may also wait until Phase 2D begins in May to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine isn’t right for them. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are what is called mRNA vaccines, that “teach our cells how to make a protein that will trigger an immune response without using the live virus that causes COVID-19,” according to Alberta Health. The AstraZeneca and Covishield vaccines are viral vector-based vaccine. “These types of vaccines use a harmless virus, such as an adenovirus,
as a delivery system. “This “vector” virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19. Adenoviruses are among the viruses that can cause the common cold. There are many different types of adenoviruses, and many have been used as delivery systems for other vector-based vaccines for decades. “When a person is given the vaccine, the vector virus contained within the vaccine produces the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein will not make you sick. It does its job and goes away.” As well, bookings for Phase 2A of the COVID-19 vaccine program are scheduled to begin the week of March 15 (Pfizer and Moderna). This includes staff and residents of licensed supportive living not included in Phase 1, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people aged 50 or older, no matter where they live, and Albertans aged 65 to 74, no matter where they live. Booking dates for this last group will open by year of birth, one year at a time, to reduce wait times, with exact dates to
be announced on March 15. The province is also extending the period between receiving the first and second doses of the vaccines. Starting today, anyone who books a first dose of vaccine will have their second dose timeline extended up to four months, and the appointment will be booked at a later date. “Emerging evidence indicates that first doses of all currently approved vaccines appear to be at least 80 per cent effective in protecting against severe outcomes after the first dose. “The 16-week timeline for second doses brings Alberta in line with British Columbia and other jurisdictions,” says the province. “The evidence for COVID-19 is constantly evolving. We’ve seen in research from other jurisdictions that one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine offers a huge boost in immunity, to at least 80 per cent protection. We will continue to adjust our vaccination plan to best protect Albertans, reflecting the real-time research being done,” says Dr. Deena See VACCINATIONS P9