Because of the National Advisory Committee’s recommendation that AstraZeneca supply be targeted to those under 65, there has been a slight change in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Saskatchewan. With deliveries of AstraZeneca expected this month, residents between the ages of 60 and 64 along with Phase One priority health care workers will be offered the first 15,500 doses.
Shots of this new vaccine will begin March 22nd at six major hubs in the province, and it’s expected to be fully administered within a week on a by-appointment basis. Health care workers will be notified by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and appointments for the public will be booked by phone. The details on what number to call will be released later. Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone says the booking of appointments for healthcare workers and seniors will open at the same time. For seniors, appointments will go in order of age, with people aged 64 getting the first doses.
NACI has also updated its recommendation on the amount of time between first and second doses of the vaccines for COVID-19. The guidelines suggest getting as many doses into arms as possible by extending the interval for the second shot by up to four months.
Scott Livingstone says this is due to increased evidence that first doses are effective, and the province is seeing that as cases plummet in long-term care homes. “Previous to this decision, we were far short of the doses needed to finish phase 1 by April, of our vaccine program. Now we expect to substantially complete phase 1 in early April and more vulnerable people will now get the protection from the vaccine they need sooner.”
Health Minister Paul Merriman says that means all Saskatchewan residents should have access to their first dose by the end of June. The province will begin implementing this recommendation on Friday.
Merriman says the delayed second dose does not apply to long-term care and personal care home residents and staff. Existing scheduled appointments for second doses will be completed as scheduled.
