Saskatchewan makes COVID booster shots available to more people

Saskatchewan has expanded its eligibility for fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

As of Monday, all people 70 and over and all residents of First Nations communities and the Northern Service Administration District who are 50 and over now can get their second booster shots.

People who live in long-term and personal care homes and those with certain health conditions have been eligible for fourth doses since February.

“It is anticipated that Saskatchewan will offer fourth doses to all residents 50 years and older by the first week in May,” the provincial government said in a media release. “Further expansion of the booster dose program will be publicly announced.”

Premier Scott Moe answered questions about the boosters Monday after Question Period.

He couldn’t say for sure why eligibility was staggered again, but said it could have to do with the big vaccination clinics being shuttered and health-care workers having already been moved back to their original jobs.

“It may be as simple as a capacity issue in what are our more traditional vaccine clinics or pharmacies across the province,” Moe said.

The premier also suggested it could be to create an opportunity for people who are vulnerable to get their boosters first.

“We know that those that may be elderly or immune-compromised are more susceptible to some severe outcomes when it comes to COVID-19 … (The dates are staggered) to open up access to them sooner so there might not be lineups and so that they can get in and get their shot maybe a week or two sooner than they otherwise would,” Moe said.

Only about half of adults in Saskatchewan have got a third dose of a COVID vaccine, but Moe is optimistic that uptake will be high in the early days at least. He said it wasn’t until the third dose was opened up to younger age groups that health officials saw uptake fall off.

Moe admits there are some people who won’t ever get a COVID shot.

“They may get COVID and think that ultimately is going to protect them. I don’t think that that’s enough,” said Moe.

The premier said that is people’s own decision, but the government is going to continue to encourage people to get their shots.

“It is what will give you the best opportunity to not end up in hospital and we just encourage people to continue to have that discussion if they’ve not done so yet,” said Moe.

The Saskatchewan NDP continues to be critical of the province’s booster program as a whole.

“Access to (third) doses has not been as readily available (and) has not been communicated by this government. It is a concern and I think that they need to be doing everything that they can to communicate with the people of this province,” said Vicki Mowat, the NDP’s health critic.

Mowat said the government should be using its position to encourage vaccinations and make sure people understand the public health implications of getting boosted. She admits expanding the fourth dose makes sense right now but questions the province’s ability to roll out the fourth doses in an “orderly fashion.”

The details

Those who are eligible for a fourth shot can get it as long as four months have passed since their third dose. That interval previously was five months.

Severely immunocompromised individuals can get their fourth dose three months after their third shot.

As well, everyone in the province who is 12 and over is now eligible to get their first booster shot, provided four months have passed since their second dose.

Last Tuesday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization suggested provinces should prepare for a rapid deployment of boosters.

People who are eligible to get a fourth shot can make an appointment with the Saskatchewan Health Authority by calling 1-833-727-5829 or by calling participating pharmacies. The SHA’s online booking system currently isn’t available for that group.

The government continues to encourage people to complete their vaccination series and then to get booster shots.

“COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Saskatchewan remain highest among unvaccinated populations,” the release said. “Receiving the first, second and booster dose provides optimal protection against the Omicron variant, even if you have contracted and recovered from COVID-19.”