World Health Organization approved vaccines recognized by Alberta
22 September 2021
This update was posted more than one month ago. Directions, policies, and safety measures may have changed during this time. To find the latest information, please consult the COVID-19 site or try searching the U of A website.
Updated: December 3, 2021 to include COVAXIN on the list of approved vaccines.
Posted: September 22, 12:00 p.m.
On September 19, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health updated the province’s definition for those who it considers to be fully vaccinated to recognize World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccines. This brings welcomed news for some international students and employees who may have already received a full set of COVID-19 vaccines outside of Canada.
Within the Province of Alberta, you are now considered fully vaccinated if you have:
- received two doses of a World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine in a two dose vaccine series or one dose in a one dose vaccine series;
AND
- fourteen days have elapsed since the date on which you received the second dose of the World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine of a two dose series or one dose of the vaccine in a one dose vaccine series.
You are considered fully vaccinated within Alberta if you’ve received full doses of any of the following:
| Vaccine | Approved by Health Canada | Approved by the WHO |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty (mRNA vaccine) |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moderna/Spikevax (mRNA vaccine) |
Yes |
Yes |
| AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD |
Yes |
Yes |
| Janssen/Johnson & Johnson |
Yes |
Yes |
| CoronaVac/Sinovac |
No |
Yes |
| Sinopharm/BBIBP |
No |
Yes |
| COVAXIN |
No |
Yes |
You can learn more about the WHO’s COVID-19 vaccine Emergency Use List by visiting their website.
How this applies to U of A community members
If you are a U of A student, faculty or staff member who has been fully vaccinated with CoronaVac/Sinovac or Sinopharm/BBIBP vaccines, you are also now considered fully vaccinated at the U of A. Please update your U of A vaccination status to ‘fully vaccinated’ as soon as possible; you are no longer required to participate in regular rapid testing.
If you are partially vaccinated (e.g., one dose of a two dose vaccine), please continue to follow the U of A’s rapid testing requirements until you are fully vaccinated.
Health Canada recognition required for traveller quarantine exemption
Travellers preparing to come to Canada should note that only COVID-19 vaccines authorized by Health Canada qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption. Therefore, individuals with CoronaVac/Sinovac or Sinopharm/BBIBP vaccines are still required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
Students traveling to Canada, regardless of vaccination status, are required to register with the Off Campus Isolation and Travel Registry.
Health Canada still recommends one mRNA dose for extra protection
Health Canada still recommends that international travellers who have a complete or incomplete dose of a non-approved Health Canada vaccine should also get at least one dose of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada. This is recommended to provide extra protection against the virus, but is not required to be considered fully vaccinated. Vaccinations are available and free in Canada. Learn more by visiting Health Canada’s website.
General inquiries: U of A Public Health Response Team, phrtinfo@ualberta.ca