Primary Care Alberta Clinical Updates
Measles update
Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks. Cases have been identified in several Canadian provinces, including outbreaks across Alberta. See the following active health advisories: 
Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and Indigenous Services Canada are working together to ensure that the public, healthcare providers and other partners have the information they need to prevent, protect and identify measles cases.
Please note: patients who present at clinics with measles symptoms, or who call the clinic and identify possible exposure, should not be directed to the Emergency Department (ED) for testing. EDs are experiencing patients presenting for testing who do not require medical care – this is creating a risk of increased exposure. 
Please follow the Provincial Measles Primary Care Clinical Pathway, which has been updated. 
Resources for healthcare providers:
Resources for infection prevention and control 
As infectious diseases, including measles, continue to circulate in Alberta, primary care clinics may find these AHS posters useful for infection prevention and control among both patients and healthcare workers. Note that the Patient Symptoms poster is particularly helpful for measles and is available in multiple languages. 

Regarding IPC procedures, AHS strongly recommends that: 

  • All staff and physicians be fit-tested for an N95 respirator.  
  • Anyone who works with patients or clients ensure they are immune to measles.
  • Get more information: AHS.ca/measles. 
COVID-19 immunization program update from Alberta Health
Effective April 28, 2025, Alberta Health is recommending a biannual dose of COVID-19 vaccine for Albertans at higher risk of severe outcomes due to COVID-19 infection. Eligible Albertans (see the criteria below) who have previously received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine after October 1, 2024, are eligible to receive a biannual dose at least three months after their previous dose. See complete eligibility details here. 

The following groups are eligible to receive a biannual dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least three months after their last dose: 
  • Individuals 65 years of age and older. 
  • Adults 18 years of age and older who are residents of continuing care homes and senior supportive living accommodations. 
  • Individuals six months of age and older with certain immunocompromising conditions (a list can be found in the COVID-19 vaccine biological pages). 
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals six months of age and older, no matter where they live.

Please note that Moderna vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine available for children six months to 11 years. As all remaining doses of Moderna vaccine expire on June 17, 2025, eligible children in this age cohort need to receive this vaccine prior to June 17, 2025. Albertans who have not received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine since October 1, 2024, continue to be eligible to receive a dose.

Please refer to the COVID-19 vaccine biological pages for more information.

End date for the 2024-2025 Influenza Immunization Program
Reminder from Alberta Health: The Alberta Influenza Immunization Program ends on March 31, 2025. However, children under nine years of age eligible for a second dose of influenza vaccine can receive it until April 30, 2025. Community medical clinics that administer influenza vaccine will receive a detailed email directly from Alberta Health about how to reconcile inventory in the Alberta Vaccine Inventory (AVI) system and destroy all remaining doses.
Reminder: Fax number update for oncology referrals in South, Central and Calgary Zones 
As all Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Holy Cross Centre cancer services have now transitioned to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, AHS reminds those sending fax referrals to update your records and automatic dialing to the new Arthur Child contact fax number and main switchboard.

Please discontinue sending fax referrals to the Tom Baker and Holy Cross cancer centres.

If faxes continue to be sent to Tom Baker and Holy Cross, they will be automatically rerouted to Arthur Child until May 1. During that transition phase AHS will remind senders to update the fax number on their end.

After May 1, if senders have not updated their contact information, they will receive an error message.

The Arthur Child contact numbers are as follows: 

  • Main switchboard: 587-231-3100 
  • Toll-free number: 1-844-465-6330 
  • Referral fax number: 587-231-3580

Questions: Lori Kotkas, Supervisor, Health Information Management, AHS:  587-231-3600.

APL bulletin: Changes to insulin testing 
Effective April 1, 2025, the method used to measure insulin at Edmonton Base Lab (EBL) will change from Abbott Architect to Siemens Atellica, resulting in a wider reportable range. Similar to the Abbott Architect insulin assay, the Siemens Atellica insulin assay also detects common insulin analogs. There is no need to update order sets or preference lists as test codes will not change. 
APL bulletin: Standardization of serological testing for celiac disease
Effective April 1, 2025, serological testing for celiac disease (CD) will be standardized across the province and consolidated at the Diagnostic and Scientific Centre (DSC) in Calgary. The standardized approach will eliminate confusion arising from different reference intervals and algorithms used across Alberta. 

APL asks that healthcare providers not order total IgA when investigating suspected CD. The TTG IgA test has a lab-triggered line testing for assessing IgA deficiencies. 

APL bulletin: New CMV, EBV, Adenovirus, Parvovirus B19, and HHV-6 Nucleic Acid tests
On March 25, 2025, the AltoStar PCR kits (Altona Diagnostics) for CMV, EBV, adenovirus, parvovirus B19,and HHV-6 will be implemented by APL’s Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab).

APL asks that healthcare providers continue to submit a dedicated EDTA blood tube for viral load monitoring. Only blood specimens will be reported with a viral load routinely while other specimen types will be reported qualitatively (i.e., detected or not detected). 
Updated AHS Childhood Growth Monitoring Guidance 
AHS’ Childhood Growth Monitoring Guidance combines former Growth Chart Use Protocol, Growth Chart Measurement Protocol and Weight Velocity Nutrition Guideline into a single updated document. This enhances healthcare providers' workflows and continues to support best practice in the measurement and interpretation of childhood growth. 

Find the guidance document and resources at ahs.ca/cgm. 
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