The Saskatchewan Health Authority says this is the final week for Drive-Thru and Mass Immunization Clinics. As of August 8th, this Sunday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority will shift its focus to targeted outreach which will mean drive thru and most appointment booked clinics will be discontinued.

COVID-19 immunizations continue after August 8th but it will be through walk-in or pop-up clinics at public venues as well as at participating pharmacies by appointment. Appointments booked online will continue for some smaller centres where pharmacy immunization isn’t available. The SHA says the province will continue to see COVID-19 transmission for the rest of the summer and into the fall especially with variants of concern like the Delta variant which is now spreading in Saskatchewan. The Delta variant spreads much quicker than the original strain, particularly among those who aren’t fully vaccinated and a large portion of that population are young people who aren’t eligible to receive the vaccine.

At present, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has over 14,000 booked appointments available. The SHA also says testing remains an important part of a multi-layered approach to personal protection against COVID-19 including choosing to wearing a mask, washing your hands often, staying home if you are unwell and getting immunized when it’s available to you.

ONCE YOU BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR IMMUNIZATION, YOU ARE ALWAYS ELIGIBLE

This applies to both first and second dose immunizations.

Residents are reminded to hold onto the card given to them at immunization, as it contains valuable information including the date, and the vaccine used.

For additional information on COVID-19 vaccines and immunization, visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccine.Opens in new window

WHERE TO GET IMMUNIZED

Saskatchewan residents have multiple options for receiving first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine when eligible.

To be immunized, and for the most up-to-date information on available clinic locations and hours the following resources are available:

Drop in to one of our mobile or pop-up clinics when we announce one in your community.

See the full list of drive-thru and walk-in clinics and hours at www.saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vaxOpens in new window.
Book an appointment online 24/7 at saskatchewan.ca/COVID-19 vaccineOpens in new window.
Call 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) to book your appointment, 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Visit your local pharmacy. For a list of participating pharmacies, including vaccine brands available, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-pharmaciesOpens in new window.

CHANGING VACCINE BRANDS BETWEEN FIRST & SECOND DOSES

In response to updated statements by the National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationOpens in new window, Saskatchewan’s clinical experts have recommended that individuals in Saskatchewan who received AstraZeneca as their first dose be offered the choice of receiving AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) as their second dose.

Where AstraZeneca is on hand, residents who had it as a first dose will be offered the choice of either AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine for their second dose. AstraZeneca remains a safe vaccine and two doses are effective against severe disease and hospitalization.

Individuals who have received two doses of any COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada should be considered protected and do not require an additional vaccine at this time.

mRNA VACCINES ARE INTERCHANGEABLE

Residents who received Pfizer or Moderna as their first dose should take whichever of those two vaccines that is available to them for their second dose, rather than waiting for the same brand of vaccine. While it has proven safe and effective to interchange mRNA vaccines for second dose, there is enough mRNA vaccine available at this time for residents to be fully immunized with the same vaccine for first and second doses.

The Pfizer brand remains the only one approved for use in children ages 12-17.

A vaccine is only approved by Health Canada if it is safe, it works, it meets manufacturing standards, and the benefits outweigh any risks.