Residents of Saskatchewan and all of Lloydminster, meeting certain requirements, will now have access to a 2nd booster, or fourth dose, of COVID-19 vaccine.
The province announced Monday fourth doses of vaccine will be made available for certain populations at risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes. These include those 70 and over and all residents of First Nations communities and the Northern Service Administration District 50 years and older.
Also eligible are all residents of long-term and personal care homes, along with those with designated health conditions.
These people can now start booking their appointments for this dose, provided they’re four months from their last dose. They can do so either by calling 1-833-SASK-VAX [727-5829] or by setting one up at a participating pharmacy.
It’s expected that the Saskatchewan Government will announce people 50 and older will be eligible by the first week of May, and then expand the booster dose program from there.
Government updates waiting times for third doses
The Saskatchewan Government has also shortened the waiting time for third, or first booster, COVID-19 shots.
Anyone over 12 can get a third shot if desired, if they have waited four months from their second doses. Before now, Saskatchewan was using a five month interval. The province is also encouraging people to look into boosters to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccination series, while they work to get four shots to at-risk populations.
The province’s health officials note that receiving the first, second and booster dose provides optimal protection against the Omicron variant, even if someone has contracted and recovered from COVID-19. They add that COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Saskatchewan remain highest among un-vaccinated populations.
Information on intervals for all residents eligible for third and fourth doses is available at saskatchewan.ca/covid-19.