Lloydminster and other Saskatchewan residents who are 80-years-old or older will be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment tomorrow.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says they are expanding their bookings due to a successful launch of their COVID-19 booking system. Residents will be able to start making an appointment on March 12 at 8 a.m. either online or by calling 1-833-727-5289 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Since launching the system on March 11, roughly 3,800 people have booked an appointment with about 76 per cent done online and 24 per cent through the phone line. SHA says the average wait time for booking an vaccination by phone is about 126 minutes.

SHA reminds residents immunizations are only available by appointment and a friend or family member can register and schedule an appointment for someone who is eligible. Clinic availability is dependent on vaccine availability and more clinics will be added as the province receives more doses.

The bookings are only for the first dose of the vaccine and bookings for a second dose will be announced in the future.

People are not eligible if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 90 days, received any other vaccine in the last 14 days or received a dose of a vaccine from somewhere else.

The province asks residents to wait their turn and avoid trying to access the booking system if they are not eligible at this time.

Residents are reminded to continue following all public health orders and guidelines even after being vaccinated. They include following proper social distancing, wearing a mask, limiting gathering sizes, following proper hand hygiene and staying home when feeling unwell.