COVID-19 Immunization Update as of July 30

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.

Celebrate Saskatchewan Day by Protecting Yourself, Your Loved Ones and Your Community
On August 2 we celebrate Saskatchewan Day. This year we can celebrate Saskatchewan Day together, in person with our loved ones, because of the progress we’ve made in immunizing the province, but we are far from complete. 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 – 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.

This weekend also marks the last opportunity for children aged 12-17 who have not had their first dose to be fully immunized before school starts. In order to make sure a child has both doses before the end of August they will need their first immunization by August 1, then wait the minimum 28 days between doses and receive their second dose at the end of August. It takes approximately 14 days after the second dose for the body to reach maximum immunity.

At present, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has over 24,000 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.

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.

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