Describing the plan as aggressive, the Ministry of Health announced today that as long as the vaccines arrive as scheduled, they plan to have all residents, 12 years and older, eligible for vaccination by May 20th.
Health officials say the schedule right now, based on vaccine availability, will open up to those age 32 and older as of tomorrow (Saturday). It will continue to drop progressively from there until May 20th when everyone in the province, again, based on vaccine availability, who are 12 years and older, can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Young people age 12 to 17 are approved to only receive the Pfizer vaccine. And the province suggests administration of this vaccine could occur in school-based programs, pharmacies or Saskatchewan Health Authority clinics before the end of the school year. Details will be announced before May 20th.
The pharmacy vaccination rollout continues and additional pharmacies will be added as larger volumes of vaccine become available. Drive-thru/walk-in clinic information can be found here.
Health Minister Paul Merriman says there are 270,000 people remaining who are considered part of the eligible population for COVID-19 vaccination.
The Saskatchewan government is also going to start loosening the public health guidelines in Regina and area where COVID-19 variants of concern have flourished. They are going to allow Regina restaurants and pubs to re-open to in-person dining, not this week, but next week. All other public health measures remain in place.
The following age-based immunization eligibility schedule is proposed, subject to vaccine delivery. In the event that deliveries are delayed, this schedule may be revised.
| May 8 | Age 32+ | May 16 | Age 20+ |
| May 10 | Age 29+ | May 18 | Age 16+ |
| May 12 | Age 26+ | May 20 | Age 12+ |
| May 14 | Age 23+ |
The province says this schedule applies to first dose vaccination only. There will be a period of overlap when both first and second doses are being administered. Second doses are scheduled to start May 17 for residents 85 years and older or those who received their first dose by February 15, 2021.
Second dose eligibility will occur approximately 13 weeks following the first dose for most residents and that interval could lessen based on the vaccine supply and the speed of administration. There will be public notifications of when each age group will be eligible to receive their second dose.
