Saskatchewan will receive about 112,000 COVID-19 vaccines in March made up of Pfizer and Moderna doses.

Premier Scott Moe says things are starting to pick up considering the province is also expecting 15,000 doses of the recently approved AstraZeneca vaccine this month.

He says as availability of these doses increase, so will the availability of appointments. The Saskatchewan Health Authority has indicated that appointments will soon be available online or by phone, for eligible residents over 70 years of age. Moe expects the appointment system will be launched next week.

With respect to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations recommends against using that vaccine in people 65 years and older despite Health Canada authorizing it for adults of all ages.

Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab says it’s not that it’s not good for people 65 and older, but there is stronger evidence indicating it should be used for people 18 to 64 for now.

Alberta announced on Tuesday that Albertans ages 65 and up will not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as per the immunization committee’s advice.
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