Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman spoke during a press conference on Wednesday, blaming the Federal government for the slow distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Merriman said multiple times that the federal government required the province to hold back 50% of available vaccines, or all second doses.

The Public Health Agency has released a statement, saying that there has never been a requirement and that they never asked Saskatchewan to hold back vaccines.

So far, the government of Saskatchewan has administered just over 4,800 of the just over 17,500 vaccine doses it had received

The statement from Public Health Canada reads:

"There is no requirement from the federal government to hold back the second dose in the vaccine series. However, Health Canada recommends that Canadians receive both doses of the same vaccine, as close as possible to the authorized dosing regimen for each vaccine.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has carefully weighed the scientific evidence and ethical implications of widely distributing all vaccine doses right away to immunize more people, compared to holding back doses to complete a 2-dose vaccine series, and will update its analysis soon.

Provincial and territorial governments will have to determine the best way to manage supply based on their own analyses and logistics. Provincial and territorial governments may refer to NACI’s ethical analysis, Appendix C, in NACI’s updated technical guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines, to assess their vaccine distribution options."

So far in Saskatchewan:

  • 8,775 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been received. 3,900 of those are in Regina and 4,875 are in Saskatoon.
  • Prince Albert received 3,900 doses on Wednesday, which were administered to priority health care workers, long term care and personal care home residents and staff.
  • 6,825 doses are expected to be delivered to Saskatchewan each week for the rest of January, with January 11th's shipment going to Saskatoon and area, January 18th's going to Regina and area, and January 25th's going to North Battleford and area.
  • 4,900 doses were received on December 28, with all going to the north and far north regions.
  • An additional 5,300 doses are expected to be delivered to Saskatchewan next week, with locations currently being determined. The plan is however, to deliver them to smaller cities which will serve as regional hubs.