The CEO and president of Alberta Well being Providers is apologizing after seniors throughout the province struggled to e book COVID-19 vaccine appointments final week.
“We’ve got heard from seniors and their relations that the stress of making an attempt to e book appointments this week added to what’s already a particularly making an attempt time,” mentioned Dr. Verna Yiu.
“I need to publicly and personally apologize to anybody who skilled frustration, anger, or fear over what must be a hopeful time within the pandemic response.”
On Wednesday, AHS opened its 811 telephone line and web site so Albertans 75 and up can e book COVID-19 vaccine appointments. However on that day, telephone traces have been swamped and the web site crashed.
Yiu mentioned AHS made “an error in judgement” in how the net reserving system was examined.
“We underestimated the variety of Albertans 75 years and over who would name 811 and go surfing to e book at launch time. We had deliberate for tens of 1000’s at a time, and demand far exceeded that, resulting in technical points that took a number of hours to resolve,” mentioned Yiu.
“The technical points have been mounted, a queuing ready room is in place, and the system is secure. We additionally acknowledge the general public confidence in our skill to ship immunizations has been shaken.”
There has additionally been lengthy lineups at a number of immunization clinics, she added.
“Nobody desires to line up exterior within the Alberta winter, and nobody ought to,” mentioned Yiu.
“Everybody who has an appointment is being vaccinated, and now we have put in place higher line administration and course of on the websites to encourage folks to attend of their automobiles till their time slot.
“Among the clinics are delayed as a result of we’re taking time with every individual, and we might have to increase the 10-minute allotment for every immunization. We’re taking a look at that, and studying tips on how to be environment friendly, caring, and respectful of all Albertans.”
Greater than 120,000 Albertans have signed as much as get the COVID-19 vaccine within the first two days of appointment bookings. Greater than of 12,000 of those seniors, aged 75 and over, have been immunized.
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