The Saskatchewan Health Authority has accelerated access to second doses of COVID-19 vaccine to anyone who is 70 years and older as of May 29, OR who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on or before March 15.
Once an individual is eligible for immunization they remain eligible and can be immunized at any time. For all other residents, eligibility to book for second doses will be announced according to the age-based and priority sequencing of first doses, as detailed on the Government of Saskatchewan's Second Dose Strategy.
Residents will be required to know the date of their first immunization. That information was noted on the card presented at the first dose immunization, or if misplaced can be found by calling 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829), or checking Immunization History on the resident's MySaskHealthRecord account.
The brand of the second dose must match the brand of the first dose. National reviews of the safety and efficacy of interchanging the second dose brand are on-going and the provincial policy on maintaining the same brand for the second dose may be updated following this review.
ASTRAZENECA SECOND DOSES: At this time AstraZeneca is only available for second doses for individuals who received AstraZeneca for their first dose and who are over the age of 85 OR cancer patients, solid organ transplant patients, or patients receiving treatment with Rituximab and Ocrelizumab, who received a letter. These individuals will be contacted for an appointment.
Guidance on the administration of AstraZeneca second doses for the general population will be provided prior to the recommended 12-week interval between doses, which begins the second week of June.
During the second dose appointment, the clinic or pharmacy will validate the timing and brand of the first dose to ensure the resident is receiving the second dose within the recommended timeframe. The type of vaccine available at each location will be confirmed when booking online or over the phone.
For drive-thru and walk-in clinics the vaccine brand will be noted on the COVID-19 Immunization Update PSA's, and on the online schedule. Vaccine brands available at, and information on, participating pharmacies can be viewed at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies.
A walk-in vaccine clinic will be held in Weyburn on Monday, May 31, for Moderna doses (18+) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
All walk-in clinics are on a first-come, first-servedbasis. No appointment is necessary. Residents can attend at their convenience. However, if you have a booked appointment and choose to attend a drive-thru or walk-in clinic, please ensure you cancel this appointment to allow others eligible to take your place.
Additional Appointments Added to Patient Booking System
Effective immediately, the SHA has added over 5,000 appointments for first and second dose immunizations at clinics throughout the province. Eligible residents can book their immunization online 24/7 at saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccine, or phone 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) between the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days per week.
School Immunization Program Starts Next Week
As previously announced, school-based immunization clinics for youths aged 12-17 begins the week of May 31. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine – which has been approved for use by Health Canada, and has been proven safe for anyone 12 and older, based on clinical trials and scientific evidence – will be offered at school clinics. Written consent will be required prior to immunization, and is good for both doses.
Information packages, including consent forms, will be provided by the individual schools.
For the week of May 31, immunization clinics for school-based students will occur in the following area communities: Assiniboia, Carlyle, Estevan and Weyburn.
