The Saskatchewan government says vaccination starts this week in the province for children age six months up to five years. Last week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for the youngest age group.

The Province says it will receive a limited supply of approximately 13,000 doses of the vaccine in its first delivery, so the appointments will open first to those children at highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Priority is being given to children age six months up to five years who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, with appointment booking available starting Thursday.

As of 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, parents and guardians of eligible immunocompromised children will be able to book an appointment by calling 1-833-Sask-VAX (1-833-727-5829) only. If there are other children six months up to five years in this household, appointments for all those children may be booked at this time.

Starting this Friday parents and guardians of all children age six months up to five years will be able to book appointments online at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine starting at 8:00am or by calling 1-833-Sask-VAX (1-833-727-5829) at 8:45am.

SHA clinics will be starting in selected sites across the province on Friday. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is predicting that it will fully administer the 13,000 doses before the next vaccine delivery in August. There will be a variety of clinics including walk-in, booked appointments and with extended hours.

Pharmacists can’t vaccinate children five years and younger so pharmacies aren’t participating in this phase of the vaccine rollout.