Saskatchewan vaccine clinics made kid-friendly
Vaccinations for all eligible Saskatchewan people is the best way to stop the COVID-19 pandemic and return life to normal. On November 24, 2021, another group of Saskatchewanians became eligible for their COVID-19 vaccinations: kids aged 5-11 years. This change not only required a special version of the Pfizer vaccine to arrive, it also required Saskatchewan Health Authority teams to rethink how vaccinations are delivered to some of our youngest COVID fighters.
Province-wide, vaccination teams sprang into action to create kid-friendly spaces that would make getting a vaccination a little less scary. So far, these spaces include (not every item is available at every location):
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More ideas are being implemented all the time as teams adapt to the needs of this group.
After her daughter was immunized in Yorkton, one mother expressed her happiness with the clinic: “I just wanted to share with you what a fantastic experience the Yorkton Walk-In Clinic was today. I took my daughter and she was enthralled with the therapy dog (Zak) and entertained by the movie. The kid-friendly environment made the experience enjoyable for all. A sincere thanks and huge shout out to the Yorkton Vaccine team, as well as all vaccine teams throughout the SHA!”
There are many options for parents or caregivers to have their child immunized:
- SHA walk-in clinics: the walk-in clinic schedule will indicate “Pfizer 5-11” where the pediatric vaccine is available. Select locations have drive-thru options.
- Online booking is available for single appointments. Multiple children and other eligible family members can be booked for an appointment together by calling 1-833-SASKVAX (727-5829)
- School clinics: Details on a clinic in, or near your child’s school will be provided directly from the school to you. Parent attendance at school clinics is encouraged, and many are held outside of school hours, including in the evenings and on weekends.
- Participating pharmacies: locations offering the pediatric Pfizer vaccine will be indicated on the online map of pharmacy locations.
For more information on COVID-19 immunizations visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to follow the SHA on social media for reliable information and links to resources that will help reduce the anxiety many children feel when being immunized.