Alberta paramedics ask for early COVID-19 vaccinations

Paramedics are calling on the government of Alberta to expedite COVID-19 vaccinations for members of their profession.

They are not among the health-care workers receiving vaccinations this month, and it'snot clear when they will be immunized.

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) and theAlberta Paramedic Association (APA) both say they are seekingclarity from the provincial government. The HSAA also raised the issue with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday.

Both associations hope to be included in the second part of the first phase in January or February.

"Our paramedics are responding to the most critical COVID-19 patients," Mike Parker, president of HSAA, said in an emailed statement to CBC. "They are at constant risk and must have access to supports and protections to ensure they can continue to be there for Albertans facing a medical emergency."

• Alberta to vaccinate 29,000 health-care workers by end of month

Dusty Myshrall, president of the Alberta Paramedic Association, said paramedics are put at risk byconstantly changingenvironments and challenges with wearing personal protective equipment.

He said paramedics go from someone's house or a long-term care facilityinto the confined space of anambulance while performing treatments. Their patients often end up in emergency rooms.

Part of the role of a paramedic is performing intubations on COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure, Myshrall said.

"We know that that's a huge risk for transmission of COVID-19," Myshrall said. "When we see it done in a hospital, typically that could be in a more controlled environment. Paramedics are doing this in a situation with limited resources, in an uncontrolled environment.

"Paramedics are increasingly at risk here with COVID-19 and they should be vaccinated."

The province said withlimited doses of the vaccine available, it isstarting with those who are most vulnerable, and the health-care workers who treat them.

"I think it's really important to know that the decisions about the first phase of vaccine were focused on individuals who were at the highest risk of severe outcomes, those who are in close contact with those individuals and the groups within the health-care system where there are critical pressures," Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, said Mondaywhen asked about the decision not to include paramedics in the first wave.

Hinshawsaid paramedics provide critical services and decisions about phase two of the vaccination rolloutwon't be made until next year.