Select populations eligible for additional XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccination
Starting April 8 until June 30, 2024, select Saskatchewan residents will have access to an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine if it has been six or more months from their last XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing severe illness, including hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 and can decrease the risk of Long COVID (also known as post-COVID-19 condition).
The following groups at high-risk of severe COVID-19 illness and outcomes, are eligible for this additional dose:
- Adults 65 years of age and older.
- Adults 18 to 64 years of age who reside in long-term care facilities, personal care homes, and congregate living settings (for example: assisted living settings) that includes residents who are 65 years of age and older.
- Individuals six months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to immunosuppressive therapy or due to medical conditions.
As of July 1, 2024:
- Only moderately to severely immunocompromised children who are six months to four years old may start an age-appropriate XBB.1.5 dose/series, given six months from their previous non-XBB.1.5 dose or previous COVID-19 infection (whichever interval is longer).
Until June 30, 2024, individuals over six months of age who are not yet immunized with XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to receive or begin an age-appropriate XBB.1.5 dose or series if there has been six months from their previous non-XBB.1.5 dose or previous COVID-19 infection (whichever interval is longer).
COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available through clinics facilitated by Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Indigenous Services Canada, the Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority (NITHA) and at participating pharmacies throughout the province. Eligible individuals can visit saskhealthauthority.ca/COVID-19 to view walk-in clinic availability in your area, to schedule an appointment with SHA Patient Booking System and to access a list of participating pharmacies across the province. For assistance scheduling an appointment, call 1-833-727-5829 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.