A doctor in Meadow Lake is hopeful that vaccinations will result in significant progress for moving past the pandemic. (file photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Vaccine outlook

Meadow Lake doctor hopeful for return to normalcy

Mar 12, 2021 | 4:54 PM

Saskatchewan residents that are itching to get back to life before COVID-19 are starting to get some signs of hope from medical experts.

In an interview with CJNB-CJNS, Dr. Gavin Vanderventer, hospital chief of staff in Meadow Lake, said there was a small blip of cases in the region rising, but it’s turned around in the past week. He said he’s optimistic about progress coming this year.

“The vaccine is coming around, more and more people are masking and social distancing,” he said. “I think it won’t be long and life will be some semblance of normal.”

Vandeventer said he’s hoping vaccinations are done by fall, but there’s a slight possibility it could be sooner, with the time between two vaccines being extended. In the meantime, he wants residents to continue to follow guidelines around masking and social distancing. While the vaccine is proven very effective in protecting against death and serious illness, it hasn’t been shown to stop a person from spreading the virus to someone else, which Vandeventer said means they could still be asymptomatic.

“And then [you] could spread it to someone else near you,” he said.

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There were 176 new cases of COVID-19 reported Friday, as well as three listed deaths, however, the daily count of new cases has reduced province-wide in the past month. Hospitalizations have also dropped, with 129 currently listed by the Saskatchewan government.

Some of the questions Vandeventer said have been coming frequently are ones surrounding breast feeding. He said they haven’t found evidence that it’s found in breast milk, but they haven’t tested whether the vaccine crosses breast milk.

“We just don’t know the answer for now,” he said. “Preliminarily, we still think it’s safe to breast feed.”

Another question coming from women is regarding whether the vaccine is safe for pregnant women, or women trying to become pregnant. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada has a recommendation on their website regarding weighing the risks of the vaccine and the disease for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Vandeventer said women in that situation should consult their physician.

“There are people doing it and there are studies that are ongoing and there are no issues we are aware of,” he said.

Vandeventer recommends people go to the SHA website and the Saskatchewan government website, where information gets updated every day.

Meadow Lake Mayor Merlin Seymour said there will be more sites for vaccination upcoming. Meadow Lake’s Civic Centre was the first testing facility outside of Saskatoon and Regina. Now it will be transitioned to do vaccinations and once the mass vaccination policy is in place they will look at other options.

“Whether it would be a tent by the Civic Centre or working at the arena as well,” he said. “Just looking at different options.”

Seymour added he knows everyone is tired of the restrictions, but cautioned the rise in recent weeks are reasons to make sure everyone stays safe.

“Follow the rules and let’s get through this thing.”

As of March 12, Saskatchewan’s active case total sits at 1,437. The province’s fatality rate is currently 1.3 per cent, with only Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Prince Edward Island having lower rates.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports