With 74 per cent of Saskatchewan residents 12 and up now receiving their first dose and 62 per cent fully vaccinated, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is shifting its vaccination focus from mass vaccination to focused outreach, targeting those in the province who are under-vaccinated and unvaccinated.
As of Aug. 8, the SHA will discontinue drive-thru and appointments booked through their online system and 1-833-SASKVAX, shifting to walk-in clinics in public venues throughout the province, including planned summer events, post-secondary campuses, retail locations including grocery stores, powwows, provincial parks and recreations areas, community centres and more.
"Achieving the highest possible vaccination rate is the best way to prevent COVID-19 transmission," Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman said. "This focused outreach is to further drive first and second dose uptake, meeting residents where they live, work and play, and support individuals in their decision to make our province as safe as possible.
"The provincial vaccination program will not stop," Merriman continued. "But all residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the readily available and convenient clinic options available now through August 8. First or second dose, now is the time to stick it to COVID."
Participating Saskatchewan pharmacies will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment.
"The Saskatchewan Health Authority continues to encourage all residents to be immunized with both doses as soon as they are eligible," said Sheila Anderson, the SHA’s emergency operation centre vaccine chief.
"As much progress as we've made toward immunizing the province, we want to remind people that COVID-19 is still here and we will see cases throughout the summer, especially for unvaccinated individuals."
Saskatchewan residents should take the opportunity to be vaccinated before they go on vacation or should check out local clinics where they are vacationing in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan now has vaccine supplies to fully immunize 85 per cent of our population. Supply will not be a limiting factor on the province achieving vaccination goals. Currently, there are 128,000 doses of Pfizer available through SHA and pharmacies, available for residents 12-17 and those seeking to complete their vaccine series with a matched second dose, if desired.
It is safe to receive any mRNA vaccine as a second dose and all residents require both doses of the approved two-dose vaccines in order to achieve optimum protection, particularly against the Delta variant.
