REGINA — Public health is soon launching a booster vaccine program in Saskatchewan, as a continuation of the province’s vaccination efforts against COVID-19.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced Monday that booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available to residents, as research is showing that factors such as age, medical conditions or medication may cause effectiveness to decrease.
The additional doses will be delivered at least eight weeks following the date of a person’s second mRNA dose of either Pfizer or Moderna.
The program begins on Sept. 7, and will operate in addition to the previously announced plan to offer additional mRNA doses to individuals needing them to travel internationally.
Booster shots will first be made available to selected residents, which includes:
- long-term care residents;
- transplant recipients;
- patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapies or immunotherapy for malignant hematologic disorders;
- and patients receiving an anti-CD20 agent, like rituximab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab.
Letters of eligibility will be made available to these individuals, by mail or through physicians.
Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said that much like the previous vaccination rollout, once the booster program begins, more eligible groups will be announced.
