(CKOM News Staff)

By CKOM News

Saskatchewan rolls out plans for second doses, teen vaccinations

May 6, 2021 | 2:41 PM

Saskatchewan is preparing for Round 2 of its vaccination fight against COVID-19.

On Thursday, the provincial government revealed second doses of COVID vaccines will be administered to Saskatchewan residents on an age-based and prioritized schedule by mid-May — even before everyone in the province has received their first doses.

The province also announced that youths aged 12 and older will become eligible to get vaccinated. That news comes one day after Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for those between the ages of 12 and 15.

As well, children aged 12 to 15 who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine effective immediately. People aged 16 and 17 in that category have been eligible since April 14.

Second doses

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On May 17, anyone aged 85 or over as well as anyone who received their first dose before Feb. 15 can book their second doses.

The government expects everyone in the province will have the chance to be fully vaccinated with two doses by July 31.

“There will still be people receiving their first doses as we begin to offer second doses to those residents in the order of priority that we started our provincial vaccination program,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a release.

“But with a reliable vaccine supply and the exceptional capacity we have built in Saskatchewan, we will start booking those second doses and ensure full immunity to every resident who chooses to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination is our path out of the pandemic.”

Saskatchewan also is planning to start administering second doses quicker than expected.

The plan initially called for everyone to get their second doses within 16 weeks of their first jab, but the province expects to give second shots after just 13 weeks or less. The availability of vaccines distributed by the federal government will determine the success of that.

Appointments will be available through the Saskatchewan Health Authority booking system, at drive-through and walk-in clinics, at participating pharmacies, and at clinics operated by Indigenous Services Canada and the Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority (NITHA).

People will be told when they’re eligible through public service announcements, government news releases, the government’s COVID vaccine website and social media posts.

People diagnosed with or being treated for cancer and those who have received solid organ transplants will be given priority for second doses. They’re to be eligible as of May 17.

The second dose will be the same brand as the first.

Youths becoming eligible

Adding those aged 12 to 15 will expand the number of people eligible to receive a vaccine by about 91,000 people.

“Saskatchewan is targeting to have first dose administration for eligible youth completed by the end of June with delivery of first doses anticipated to occur in school-based programs, pharmacies, or SHA clinics before the end of the school year,” the Ministry of Health said in its release.

“Parental consent will be required prior to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to Saskatchewan youth.”

Dates for school-based programs and the parental consent process are being finalized.

The government said the large number of Pfizer doses being shipped to Saskatchewan will make it possible to vaccinate youth at the same time members of the general population are receiving their second shots.