Saskatchewan to make its own decision on fourth COVID dose

It could be another week or so before the Government of Saskatchewan decides whether or not to offer fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines more widely.

On Tuesday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) announced its new guidance on fourth doses, recommending that in the coming weeks the provinces should offer fourth doses to people 80 years and older as well as people living in long-term care homes.

The committee is also strongly recommending a fourth dose for people in their 70s as well.

The recommendation is being made because of the potential for waning protection against severe outcomes from booster doses.

Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman said the province will take NACI’s guidance and put it through the same process as it has before.

“It goes to our clinicians, they make a decision around their table and then they provide a recommendation,” Merriman said Tuesday.

The process can take a week or so before a decision comes back.

If the province’s committee comes back agreeing with the NACI guidance, then Merriman said the government will start rolling out wider access to a fourth dose.

In January, Saskatchewan began offering fourth doses to people who are severely immunocompromised and to some residents in long-term care and personal care homes.

Merriman reiterated the need for people to get a booster if they’re six months or more out from their second shot.

“Right now I’m very much encouraging people just to go out and get their third dose,” said Merriman.

Generally, NACI’s recommendation is for people to get a booster dose six months after their first booster. NACI is still studying whether a fourth dose is necessary for younger adults and kids.

Saskatchewan NDP interim leader Ryan Meili said the province should be moving quickly on fourth doses.

“Let’s get ahead of this instead of waiting until we’re scrambling,” he said.

Meili had planned on asking about the plan for fourth doses in committee later Tuesday afternoon, especially what it means for the province’s immunity that many people are approaching many months since their third dose.

“We should be having the province show leadership and have a plan,” said Meili.