COVID-19 Immunization Alert: Effective Apr. 30: Eligibility for immunizations moves to Age 40-plus

Effective 8:00 am, Apr. 30, eligibility in the provincial age-based immunization program moves to age 40 and older, except for residents living in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, where it remains at age 30 and older. This applies to all immunization clinics: booked appointments, drive-thru/walk-in, mobile, and pharmacy.

Approximately 10,000 appointments are currently available throughout the province for booked appointments at SHA clinics, in addition to pharmacy appointments, and drive-thru and walk-in clinics. Pharmacy immunization details can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies.

Reminder to residents that clinic availability is based on vaccine availability, and demand for appointments outweighs the current supply. When age eligibility opens to a younger group appointments fill up fast, particularly in urban centres like Regina and Saskatoon. There may be additional clinic options in rural and northern communities, and residents are encouraged to consider those alternate locations for immunization.

Please note that travel restrictions related to the increase of variants of concern do not apply to essential medical appointments, such as immunization. Residents – including those in Regina and surrounding communities – may travel to a community outside of their own to attend an immunization clinic, but are advised to not make any other stops or visits aside from the immunization clinic.

Additional Front-line Workers Eligible for Immunization
Effective 8:00am, Apr. 30, 2021, eligibility for COVID-19 immunization has been extended to all of the following under the current age eligibility (40+): police officers, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, correctional staff, border security officers, public health inspectors, teachers and educational staff working with students, daycare staff at facilities attached to schools, and front-line healthcare workers with direct patient contact employed by the SHA or private employers (including dentists, chiropractors, and optometrists).

The above mentioned front-line workers, under the current age criteria (40+) can be immunized by:

• Booking an appointment by phone at 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829)
• Attending a drive-thru or walk-in clinic
• Visiting a participating pharmacy

Proof of employment will need to be shown at the time of immunization in the form of a pay stub dated no later than Mar. 1, 2021, or a letter from their employer, or a copy of a professional license.
Booking online is not available for this group. 

Notice of eligibility is being provided to regulatory bodies and associations.  To confirm that you are included in this front-line worker category, call 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) or email [email protected]. 

Residents who are currently eligible by age, do not require any additional proof of employment, and may book an appointment online or by phone, or be immunized at a drive-thru/walk-in clinic or participating pharmacy.

***

The type of vaccine offered at your clinic may vary depending on vaccine supply. All vaccines are safe, effective and approved for use in Canada, and are extremely effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalization.

Drive-Thru & Walk-In Immunization Clinics – scheduled for April 30

New listings and updates highlighted in bold.

Please note vaccine supply remains limited and drive-thru/walk-in clinics may close early when all vaccine is administered. Residents are urged to check the current status of the clinic, age eligibility (now 40+), and wait times, at www.saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vaxto avoid unnecessary travel.

All drive-thru and walk-in clinics will be on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is necessary, residents can attend at their convenience.  

Additional details for drive-thru and walk-in clinics, including the most up-to-date wait times can be found at: www.saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vax. Those attending drive-thru or walk-ins with previously booked appointments are encouraged to cancel, ensuring the next eligible person can receive vaccine.

Booked Appointments – Clinic Changes and Eligibility

Vaccine Eligibility

COVID-19 vaccine booking eligibility changes to 40 years and older, effective 8:00am, Apr. 30, 2021.  
Eligible groups include all individuals 40 years of age and older, individuals 30 years of age and older living in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, all remaining phase one health care workers, priority-sequenced phase 2 health-care workers, police officers, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, correctional staff, border security officers, public health inspectors, teachers and educational staff working with students, daycare staff at facilities attached to schools, front-line healthcare workers with direct patient contact employed by the SHA or private employers (including dentists, chiropractors, and optometrists), and people with underlying health conditions who are clinically extremely vulnerable through an eligibility letter.

Individuals 40 years of age and older

• People meeting this criteria can book their appointment online 24/7 using their health card at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine; or call 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) between the hours of
  8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Individuals 30 to 39 years of age living in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District

• Booking online is not available for this age group at this time.
• Individuals meeting this criteria are invited to now book their vaccination by calling 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• A map of this area and the communities within it can be found at: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/first-nations-metis-and-northern-community-businesses/economic-development/northern-administration-district
• Individuals 40 years of age and over living in the Northern Saskatchewan AdministrationDistrictcan utilize online booking according to the instructions above. 

All Remaining Phase One Health Care Workers

• All remaining phase one health care workers are invited to book their vaccination by calling 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
• Booking online is not available for this category. These individuals require proof of their eligibility in order to book – this will be provided directly to them by their employer.
• A list of positions that qualify within this category are listed on the saskatchewan.ca website.

People with underlying health conditions who are clinically extremely vulnerable

• Conditions in this category are listed on the saskatchewan.ca website. The majority of these individuals have already been identified by their health care team, and will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail. This letter is required in order to book an appointment.
• Booking online is not available for this category unless you are 40 years of age and older and have not yet booked an appointment. Otherwise, please call 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Targeted vaccinations to select congregate living (group homes, those with intellectual disabilities)
SHA is currently in the process of immunizing residents of group homes for persons with intellectual disabilities, shelters, and other congregate living facilities.

Vaccine Clinic Changes/Rescheduling
Vaccine supplies can fluctuate regularly due to a number of factors, including changes from the manufacturer or extreme weather events, for example. When changes are made to booked appointments, patients who registered for notifications will receive an email or text informing them of these updates directly.

At any time, patients are encouraged to confirm their appointment details online – even if you booked over the phone. Visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine and click 'book or change my appointment'. Checking 24 hours in advance of your appointment can prevent unnecessary travel and frustration. 

NOTE ON CHANGE TO ASTRAZENECA ELIGIBILITY: With the recent change to the minimum age for use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, residents should be aware that any one of the three approved vaccines - Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca - may be offered at their chosen clinic. All are safe and approved for use.

Individuals are NOT eligible to receive COVID-19 Vaccine at this time if:

• You are under the age of 80 years and have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
• You have received any other vaccine in the last 14 days.