The Government of Saskatchewan revealed a new vaccine delivery plan on Monday that will see mobile vaccination units prioritizing first responders, as well as healthcare workers receiving unused Phase 1 doses, and pharmacies offering vaccines to facility staff.

First Responders

The new vaccine delivery plan will target first responders through mobile vaccination units once current priority populations are complete. At the moment, mobile units are targeting select congregate living settings such as group home and shelter staff and residents. Once vaccinations at those settings are complete, the mobile units will then target first responders including police officers, firefighters, and public health inspectors.

Paramedics were targeted as part of phase 1.

The units will be dispatched to central workplace settings, and if all goes according to plan, they should begin receiving their first dose in two weeks.

Remaining Health Care Workers

During Phase 1 of the delivery plan, 40,500 health care workers were offered a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those, 27,348 received the dose, which means the remaining 13,152 doses will be allocated to remaining front-line health care workers who were not included in Phase 1.

All physicians are included in this as they may be called on to assist in clinical care areas and surge capacity needs.

Eligible SHA healthcare workers and physicians will receive notice and a letter of eligibility directing them to book a vaccination appointment by phone. That notification will come from either the College of Physicians and Surgeons for doctors, or from the SHA for other healthcare staff.

SHA frontline healthcare staff includes outpatient and community service staff, nurses, pharmacists, therapy staff, mental health professionals, social workers, housekeeping, dietary and ward support staff.

The remaining health care workers not included in the Phase 1 prioritization will be able to book their COVID-19 vaccination by phone only upon receipt of a letter of eligibility by calling 1-833-SASKVAX.

Pharmacies

And finally, Saskatchewan pharmacists will be able to begin delivering vaccines the week of April 26. In addition to offering increased access to the general public through age-based sequencing, pharmacists will also be offering vaccines to pharmacy and grocery staff who work in a facility where vaccines are being offered.

Pharmacies will require proof of employment in the facility where the vaccine is being delivered. Any staff working in a facility where vaccine delivery is occurring will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in that facility.