COVID-19 Immunization Update as of July 28

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.

Protect Yourself, Your Loved One and Your Community
Your risk of contracting COVID-19 at this time is not determined by your age but by your vaccination status. Data on hospital admissions and ICU patients related to COVID-19 in Saskatchewan shows that under or non-immunized residents are at the greatest risk, whereas fully immunized residents make up a fraction of hospitalizations for COVID-19, and had zero ICU admissions in June.

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, are more transmissible than the original strain of COVID-19 and are potentially more dangerous. The Delta variant spreads much quicker than the original strain, particularly among those who are not yet fully vaccinated which – at this time – are younger people in Saskatchewan.

With school starting in just over a month it is also important to make sure that children aged 12-17 are fully immunized and protected as they head into classrooms. Residents must wait a minimum of 28 days between first and second doses, and it takes approximately 14 days after the second dose for the body to reach maximum immunity. That means any child who has not yet received their first or second dose should do so immediately to protect themselves, their friends, family and community.

We’ve made great progress in immunizing the province, but we are far from complete.  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, protecting yourself, your loved ones and your community.

In order to better reach those who are partially and non-immunized, effective August 8, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will be shifting our focus to targeted outreach, discontinuing drive-thru and most appointment booked clinics.

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. This approach allows for targeted outreach to communities where immunization is needed the most. Appointments booked online will continue for some smaller centres where pharmacy immunization is unavailable – details to be provided in future updates.

At present, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has over 34,000 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. At present there are over 90,600 doses of Pfizer available for those aged 12-17, or those wishing to complete their vaccine series with matching doses.

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. 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