Now that Health Canada has approved the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is expecting the first shipment of 4,900 doses to arrive next week.

Andrew Will, vice-president of infrastructure, information and support with the SHA, says because it doesn’t need to be stored at -70 like the Pfizer vaccine, it will be prioritized for rural and remote communities, long term care and personal care homes, and for healthcare staff outside the major centre. Widespread vaccine access for the general population is part of Phase 2 of the delivery plan, which the province says will tentatively begin in April.

Will says those who are a part of the healthcare pilot project have been sent invitations to make an appointment for a vaccine. He stresses that any vaccinations are voluntary.

The first Pfizer vaccines to be given in Saskatoon for healthcare workers began on Tuesday afternoon. Intensive Care Specialist, Dr. Hassan Masri, says he hasn’t had any side effects from the vaccine whereas when he gets a flu shot he usually feels a bit fatigued afterwards. He stresses that you can’t get COVID-19 from the vaccine because there is no live or dead virus in the injection. Masri says what has been reported from the clinical trials is that some people feel a bit of tenderness in their arm, sometimes a low grade temperature and a lack of energy.