The government of Saskatchewan released an updated COVID-19 vaccination plan on Tuesday, with the goal of protecting the capacity of the health care system, minimizing serious illness and death and vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. 

The immunization delivery plan was set up on the foundation of age as the main risk factor.  

PHASED APPROACH 

Phase 1 of the plan, which focuses on high-risk populations, those of advanced age, and health care workers, hasn’t changed much and has been underway for a number of weeks.  

Phase 2 however, which they hope to begin between April and June, will see vaccinating the general public by age, working in 10-year increments starting at ages 60-69, and working downward. The phase’s early stages will also allow those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, or in emergency shelters and group homes to receive the vaccine.  

People with underlying health conditions, such as specific cancers, severe respiratory conditions, or chronic kidney disease, will also be able to get the vaccine in the early stages of Phase 2.  

CLINICS 

An example of what the mass vaccination sites could look like (courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan)The Saskatchewan Health Authority is hoping to operate 226 clinics in 181 communities across the province, operating three different types: mass immunization clinics, drive-thru clinics, and mobile clinics. Pharmacies, physician's offices and community-based organizations will also be able to administer the dose. 

Moose Jaw is slated to have both a mass immunization clinic and a drive-thru clinic. Regina will have two mass immunization clinics, three drive-thru clinics, and 10 mobile clinics. 

You can see a full map of the planned vaccination sites for all of southern Saskatchewan below.

RESOURCING 

With this large of a program, a large number of people will be needed to run it. According to the government, up to 2,200 people will be involved in delivering the vaccines during Phase 2, including 675 health care workers who will be redeployed to deliver vaccines. The SHA will also be looking for help from public health staff, physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, EMS, medical students, and retired health care workers - if needed.   

COMMUNICATION 

The government of Saskatchewan says they will be doing everything they can to inform the public when it’s their turn to be vaccinated, how to register for your appointment, the types of clinics available, and how to find the closest clinic. They will also be providing information through local media, social media, online ads, posters, direct mail, news conferences, and local publications. 

Electronic and paper copies of vaccination records will also be available. Once you are vaccinated, you will also receive a wallet card with a record of your vaccination.  

VACCINE SUPPLY 

The plan only works if we have the vaccines for it. The Government of Canada has pledged that every Canadian who wants the vaccine can have access to it by September of this year.  Saskatchewan was expecting to receive 191,300 doses of vaccine by the end of March. As for after March, the exact number of how many vaccines each province and territory will get is unknown.  

The release from the government also touched on the current vaccine shortage, saying the slow down at the Pfizer facility has led to a global shortage, but that it’s only temporary. The delay is due to factory expansions, which will ultimately lead to increased supply being shipped. The government of Saskatchewan believes that due to the shortage, they will not be able to reach their vaccination goals for the first quarter of 2021.  

Moderna also announced temporary shortages but has indicated that even with those in mind, they fully expect to meet their delivery obligations with the Government of Canada.  

Conversations are underway with private-service medical professionals to gauge interest in participating in the COVID-19 immunization efforts. Early conversations have shown a very large amount of interest to contribute resources where possible. Regular conversations with municipal leaders and officials have echoed the sense of enthusiasm to contribute and assist. As more detailed discussions about additional locations, resources, and/or logistical input is required, established forums and relationships will be used. There are also a number of offers of assistance from businesses, which will continue to be explored. 

There were 1,252 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered Monday in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province so far to 44,521. 

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