COVID-19 Immunization Update

ALL RESIDENTS AGED 12 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FIRST AND SECOND DOSE IMMUNIZATIONS.
There must be a minimum of 28 days between your first and second dose.

We Have Vaccine, We Have Clinics, We Need You
As of July 22, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has over 58,000 booked appointments available. There are options to be immunized at a booked clinic, drive-thru and walk-in clinics, pop-up clinics, and participating pharmacies throughout the province. 

As well, this week Saskatchewan received over 97,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine with another 180,000 expected over the next two weeks. While it has proven safe and effective to interchange mRNA vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna – 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. 

Now is the time to be immunized, protecting yourself, your loved ones and your community from serious illness and death. By increasing the number of fully immunized residents, we decrease the chance of additional outbreaks, serious illness and death. The SHA encourages all residents to be immunized with both doses as soon as you are eligible.

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.

Booked appointment dates and times vary, please check the online booking site for an appointment close to you. AstraZeneca available at many clinics by request. 

ONCE YOU BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR IMMUNIZATION, YOU ARE ALWAYS ELIGIBLE. 
This applies to both first and second dose immunizations. 
Residents are reminded to hold onto the card given to them at 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. 

Where to Get Immunized
Saskatchewan residents have multiple options for receiving first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine when eligible. 
To be immunized, and for the most up-to-date information on available clinic locations and hours the following resources are available:

• Drop in to one of our mobile or pop-up clinics when we announce one in your community.
• See the full list of drive-thru and walk-in clinics and hours at www.saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vax.
• Book an appointment online 24/7 at saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccine.
• Call 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) to book your appointment, 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Visit your local pharmacy. For a list of participating pharmacies, including vaccine brands available, visit   www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmacies.

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 that is available to them for their second dose, rather than waiting for the same brand of vaccine. 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