Additional XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccination available

REGINA — Select Saskatchewan residents will have access to an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine until June 30.

Those eligible must have six or more months elapsed from their last XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection.  

COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing severe illness, including hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 and can decrease the risk of Long COVID (also known as post-COVID-19 condition), according to the Ministry of Health.

The following groups at high-risk of severe COVID-19 illness and outcomes are eligible for this additional dose:

· Adults 65 years of age and older.

· Adults 18 to 64 years of age who reside in long-term care facilities, personal care homes, and congregate living settings (for example: assisted living settings) that includes residents who are 65 years of age and older.

· Individuals six months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to immunosuppressive therapy or due to medical conditions.