COVID-19 Immunization Update as of August 6

Pop-up and Walk-in Vaccination Clinic Info at Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine
As previously announced, effective August 8, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will be shifting our focus to targeted outreach, discontinuing drive-thru and most appointment booked clinics. This approach allows for outreach to communities where immunization is needed the most.

COVID-19 immunizations will continue after August 8, but through walk-in/pop-up clinics at public venues throughout the province, as well as through participating community pharmacies by appointment. Appointments booked online will continue for some smaller centres where pharmacy immunization is unavailable. Please note that the last day for the 1-833-SASKVAX phone line will be August 7. Any calls into the 1-833-SASKVAX phone line regarding vaccination will be directed to HealthLine 811 effective August 8.

While we’ve made great progress in immunizing Saskatchewan, we have much to do. We will continue to see COVID-19 transmission over the summer and into the fall, particularly among unvaccinated populations. Variants of concern (VOC) – such as the Delta variant now spreading across the province – continue to develop, and are more transmissible than the original strain of COVID-19 which makes it more dangerous.

Your risk of contracting COVID-19 is not determined by your age but by your vaccination status. Now is the time to look for a clinic or pharmacy near you. Each immunized resident lowers the overall risk of additional outbreaks, severe sickness and death, as well as protecting yourself, your loved ones and your community.

While this will be the final daily immunization update PSA, all information related to COVID-19 vaccines and immunization clinics will continue to be available at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine or through the SHA social media channels.  Provincial notification via PSA will be used for significant vaccination program announcements.

ALL RESIDENTS AGED 12 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FIRST AND SECOND DOSE IMMUNIZATIONS.

Once You Become Eligible for Immunizations, You Are Always Eligible

This applies to both first and second dose immunizations. Please hold onto the card given to you at your immunization, as it contains valuable information including the date and the vaccine used.

For additional information on COVID-19 vaccines and immunization, visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccine.

Get Tested, Stay Safe
Testing remains an important part of a multi-layered approach to personal protection against COVID-19 including choosing to wearing a mask, washing your hands often, staying home if you are unwell and getting immunized when it’s available to you. Even if you are experiencing mild symptoms you should be tested for your safety and the safety of those around you.

For additional information on COVID-19 testing, visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-testing.

Communities with SHA Booked Clinics – August 7 – 8, 2021

• Saturday, August 7
  • Rosthern (Pfizer)             
  • Regina (Pfizer)
• Sunday, August 8
  • Regina (Pfizer) 

Details on clinic locations and times is listed on the SHA website. Please note, these vaccine clinics are subject to change based on demand. Any changes to clinic hours and location will be updated online.

Where to get immunized after August 8:

• Drop in to one of our mobile or pop-up clinics when we announce one in your community. Pop-ups are listed on the SHA website at saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vax.
• Visit your local pharmacy. For a list of participating pharmacies, including vaccine brands available, visit   saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies.
• Residents looking to book an appointment in a community with no nearby participating pharmacy can view and book available clinics 24/7 at saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccine

Changing Vaccine Brands Between First & Second Doses
In response to updated statements by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Saskatchewan’s clinical experts have recommended that individuals in Saskatchewan who received AstraZeneca as their first dose be offered the choice of receiving AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) as their second dose.

Where AstraZeneca is on hand, residents who had it as a first dose will be offered the choice of either AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine for their second dose. AstraZeneca remains a safe vaccine and two doses are effective against severe disease and hospitalization.

Individuals who have received two doses of any COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada should be considered protected and do not require an additional vaccine at this time.

mRNA Vaccines are Interchangeable
Residents who received Pfizer or Moderna as their first dose should take whichever of those two vaccines is available to them for their second dose, rather than waiting for the same brand of vaccine. While it has proven safe and effective to interchange mRNA vaccines for second dose, there is enough mRNA vaccine available at this time for residents to be fully immunized with the same vaccine for first and second doses.

The Pfizer brand remains the only one approved for use in children ages 12-17.

A vaccine is only approved by Health Canada if it is safe, it works, it meets manufacturing standards, and the benefits outweigh any risks.

Vaccine Brand First Dose	Vaccine Brands Permitted for Second Dose
Pfizer	Pfizer or Moderna
Moderna	Moderna or Pfizer
AstraZeneca	AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna