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40+ vaccines coming soon

Province to lower vaccine eligibility age throughout the week

Apr 27, 2021 | 3:01 PM

The Saskatchewan government has announced incremental changes to vaccine ages this week beginning on Wednesday, April 28.

The eligible age ranges for booking COVID-19 vaccinations will include individuals 42 years and older across the province and anyone 30 years and older in the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District starting tomorrow.

Effective Friday, April 30, the eligibility will lower once again to age 40 and older and all eligible workers who have been identified as priority.

Additional priority workers will include police, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, public health inspectors, teachers and educational staff working with students, and all previously identified frontline health care workers.

“We know Saskatchewan has been leading the country in vaccination rates per capita,” Health Minister Paul Merriman stated in a media release. “We are limited by our vaccine supply but as larger volumes of vaccine arrives we are taking an aggressive approach to getting shots in the arms of as many residents as possible as quickly as possible.”

Individuals eligible for priority vaccination need to provide proof of employment through a letter from their employer, a paystub no older than March 1, 2021 or a copy of their professional license. Proof of employment will need to be shown at the time of the vaccination.

Appointments for priority workers will need to be made by telephone at 1-833-SaskVax (1-833-727-5829). Vaccination appointments for newly eligible age categories can be booked online at www.Saskatchewan.ca/covid19 but can be done by phone if people do not have a cell phone, email account or need assistance.

Appointments may also be booked at a pharmacy participating in the vaccination delivery.

Booking appointments and updated drive-thru schedule

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) added in a separate media release, around 10,000 appointments will be added to the Patient Booking System as of 8 a.m. April 28. As more vaccines arrive drive-thru and walk-in clinics will be open.

Lloydminster drive-thru clinic will be open until 7:30 p.m. April 27 at 5521 49 Avenue. As well as the North Battleford drive-thru clinic will be operating from April 27 to 30 at 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at 391 Yellowhead Alley.

All drive-thru and walk-in clinics are on a first-come first-served basis and no appointment is necessary. Up to date wait times can be found here.

The SHA added their may be more clinic options in northern and rural communities, therefore, Sask. residents are encouraged to consider other locations to get their vaccinations.

Travel restrictions in relation to the increase of variants of concern do not apply when it comes to essential medical appointments including getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Residents of Regina and the surrounding area are allowed to travel to a different community to be vaccinated but should not make other stops on the way to the clinic.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

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