(File photo/CJME News staff)

By CJME News

SHA to begin COVID vaccinations in schools in June

May 18, 2021 | 3:27 PM

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is going to schools to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations.

In a media release Tuesday, the provincial government said the Saskatchewan Health Authority will be giving the shots in June — but exact dates remain up in the air. The SHA and local education officials will finalize the dates and then communicate them to parents through individual schools.

More than 90,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be made available for kids 12 and older. Children in this age group will only receive the Pfizer brand of vaccine.

“Saskatchewan has been leading the country with one of the most aggressive vaccination programs and now we are building further on that with the addition of a school-based vaccination program,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in the release.

“The option of school vaccinations provides greater convenience for parents who want to see their children provided protection through vaccination.”

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According to the Ministry of Health, the SHA will reduce use of the drive-thru and walk-in clinics and booked appointments over the three weeks the school immunization program is expected to be in operation to ensure all students are immunized before the end of the school year.

However, appointments at pharmacies will continue.

“Our public health teams are skilled and equipped to deliver immunizations within the school system,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “We want to utilize this well-established system over the next three weeks, before school is out for the summer, to vaccinate as many eligible youth as we can and protect them and their families.”

Written consent will be required for everyone aged 12 to 17, in case a child receives one dose at school and one elsewhere. One consent form will cover both doses.

“Additional options are available for students who are home-schooled, for students who wish to access immunization sooner, or if parents wish to accompany their child to their appointment,” the ministry’s release said.

Those options include going to participating pharmacies, attending a drive-thru or walk-in clinic, making an online booking or by calling 1-833-727-5829.