Saskatchewan’s Health Minister told the federal government’s Standing Committee on Health that if the province doesn’t get all the COVID-19 vaccines that were promised, it will be challenging to get the second doses completed in the recommended time frame.
Paul Merriman says the supply disruptions have meant having to constantly change the plans for the vaccine rollout, including recently having to cancel clinics when no vaccines were available.
He is advocating for more vaccines, but also more timely communication from the federal government on when and how many doses will be shipped.
Merriman is also concerned about Pfizer wanting to relabel its vials from saying there are five doses in each to six.
He explains that Saskatchewan healthcare workers administering the vaccines have only been able to get a sixth dose in about half the Pfizer vials.
Merriman emphasized that relabelling the vials does not amount to more vaccines.