COVID-19 Immunization Eligibility

COVID-19 Immunization Eligibility 

All Saskatchewan residents ages six months and older are eligible to receive free influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Children aged six months to four years can only be immunized at SHA influenza and COVID-19 clinics, public health offices, or by a physician or nurse practitioner.

Getting flu and COVID-19 vaccines is especially important for people most at risk of serious illness, and their caregivers. Those most at risk of contracting respiratory illness are:

• adults aged 65 or older,
• people with chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems,
• children under five,
• pregnant individuals, and
• residents in personal care homes, long-term care, and chronic care facilities

Children 6 months to 4 years old may require additional doses depending on their vaccination history.

For individuals who are immunocompromised, the recommended number of doses and intervals depends on their vaccination history.

For eligible individuals, COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available through Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) clinics, and at participating pharmacies throughout the province. Eligible individuals can visit 4Flu to view walk-in clinic availability in your area, or check for clinic listings on the SHA Patient Booking System .

For assistance scheduling an appointment, call 1-833-727-5829 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Additional immunization resources

Strategies for parents and caregivers

Being immunized can be nerve-wracking for both children and their caregivers. Below you will find some strategies and resources to help best prepare for and receive immunization.

Consider the following when planning your child’s immunization:

Preparation

• Be honest with your child and share information with simple, neutral language about why immunization is important and what to expect
• Be encouraging, confident and calm so that your child can learn to feel the same way about immunizations
• Avoid using pain descriptors such as pinch or sting, or saying, "It will be over soon," or "It will be OK," as these may increase anxiety

Make a Coping and Distraction Plan

• You know best what can comfort and distract your child, so plan to use those techniques during the immunization appointments. Be sure to bring along comfort items such as a stuffed animal or blanket, consider bringing a distraction such a mobile device with their favourite song or video. You can find additional distraction ideas on the Distractions Techniques poster below.

Use Positions of Comfort

• Reduce stress and help keep your child still during immunization by finding the most comfortable position to receive the vaccine. 

Consider Using Numbing Cream

• Numbing cream is available over-the-counter at many pharmacies. This topical cream helps to reduce sensation in the upper layers of skin to help reduce pain/discomfort from the immunization needle. Most creams need at least 20-60 minutes to reduce sensation, so plan accordingly for your immunization appointment. Please note that SHA clinics do NOT have numbing cream and immunizers cannot apply it , it is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to obtain and apply the product.

Other online resources

Vaccine information and safety

• COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Lots of great information on the vaccines from the Canadian Paediatric Society 
• Vaccines & Immunization: From Public Health Canada
• How to talk to your children about COVID-19 vaccines: a simple guide from UNICEF
• Should I get my child vaccinated?: Short video from First Nations Health Authority featuring Dr. Danièle Behn Smith

Parent resources

• Kids In Pain: Resources for pain and fear management in children, with lots of great tools for caregivers and kids.
• Max the Vax: Youth-focused resources about COVID-19 vaccines.
• Needles Don't Have to Hurt: Poster with lots of great tips from a number of healthcare agencies in Canada.
• Mom Hack: When Kids Are Afraid of Needles: short video made by moms for moms with lots of great tips.
• Jesse the Bear: Story about a young bear a bit nervous about getting vaccinated, from the BC Centre for Disease Control
  • Jesse's Story colouring pages
  • Vaccine Hero Badge and colouring page