One year in: Calgary's vaccination rollout started with a nurse

Since the precious COVID-19 vaccine vials landed in the province a year ago, the arms of Albertans have been jabbed with more than seven million doses.

In Calgary, registered nurse Tanya Harvey was the first.

Now, 72 per cent of the total population isfully vaccinated, and nearly 78 per centhashad at least a single dose. Some are now waitingfor booster shots, and the rollout for children's vaccines has begun.

"When I got my shot, it was just overwhelmingly emotional to know that that was the first step forward to getting our communities back together," Harvey said, tearing up. "I'm sorry, to relive that is a bit overwhelming."

On Dec.15, 2020,after a busy night shift in the ICU caring for COVID-19 patients, she got a phone call from Alberta Health Services asking her to come and get her dose early.

Her answer: "Absolutely."

She shot out of bed, into her car, and headed to the South Health Campus, where her shot and news cameras were waiting.

That's when the nerves hit.

"The nurse who provided my vaccination, I think, was probably as nervous as I was," Harvey said. "We were holding hands under the table, helping each other through that way."

Waves of vaccine, and emotion

Then came the emotion. The moment Harvey and many health-care workers in the thick of caring for COVID patients were waiting for finally arrived. It was a step closer to feeling protected, reuniting with family and friends, and feeling that sense of community again.

Those emotions returned as the public had access to vaccinations, too.

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"Seeing it extended to the general population, every group of people that became eligible, seeing those people line up and find their vaccine and celebrate ... it felt like the world is supporting the health-care system to move through this."

Vaccine, a hot ticket item

Sarah Mackey, who started the Twitter account Vax Hunter Alberta, remembers that collective feeling of hope that these vaccines would help end the pandemic.

In a trial-by-fire rollout, the province opened up vaccine appointments to seniorsin February, unveiling a new online booking system.

The online booking website crashed, phone lines blared a busy tone under the pressure of peopleclamouring for appointments.

Mackey started guiding the seniors in her family through the process. Soon she met two other vaccine guides. Together, under the banner of Vax Hunters AB, the trio scaled up efforts to connect Albertans to appointments.

"It was pretty wild to think about how almost universal that excitement was about the hot ticket in town being a vaccine appointment," Mackey said.

First dose enthusiasm came, then there was second dose excitement and now boosters are here and Mackey says it feels like Groundhog Day.

Going through the motions again with the latest rollouts, Mackey sees history repeating itself.She believes booster eligibility needs to be expandedto fill appointments and maximize this critical rollout.

Mackey realized with every wave that the vaccines aren't that silver bullet that some toutedbut a piece in a bigger puzzle.

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As Canadaand other developed countries increase vaccination rates, she says others are falling behind, and vaccine inequity has global implications.

Then there are the countless other things, she notes,that can help limit the spread of COVID: upgrading ventilation, remaining vigilant about maskingand keeping social circles small.

"You know, we're all tired of these things, but we know so much more than we did even a year ago. That also means we know more about what we can do as individuals," Mackey said. "I think if we're all just completely burned out and tuned out at this point, we're going to get walloped by a fifth wave."

'We are strong'

Harvey got her booster in November the experience this time felt completely normal. She went to a trusted family pharmacist and was immunized by someone she's known for years without the cameras there.

The ICU is still busier than normal, but with far fewer COVID patients. Despite seeing the fourth wave demands dip, Harvey knows she's still in the thick of a pandemic, and she expects more waves.

"The thing I want to stress most is how incredibly proud I am of the team that I work with in health care," Harvey said. "And how incredibly proud I am of Albertans, in general, who have stepped up and gone through tough times together. We are strong, we are a strong community in Alberta."