Saskatchewan planning delivery of vaccination for five to eleven year-olds
Saskatchewan has ordered 112,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine specially formulated for children aged five to 11 with delivery anticipated in mid-November, 2021.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is currently working to ensure plans are in place to deliver vaccinations to this age group as soon as the COVID-19 vaccine receives approval from Health Canada.
While younger children are less likely to develop serious illness they are getting sick and playing a role in the transmission of the virus. Vaccinations for children will enable them to continue to be able to go to school and enjoy their activities.
Vaccinations for five to 11 year olds will be available at a wide variety of locations including participating pharmacies, SHA walk-in clinics, mobile clinics, at schools and at venues with easy community access near schools.
The Pfizer pediatric vaccine is a slightly different formulation with smaller doses of vaccine.
Pfizer studies indicate their vaccine had no safety concerns noted among children five to 11 years of age.
The studies also showed that expected vaccine side effects (such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and chills) were well tolerated and resolved in 1-2 days. Children in this age group have very good immune responses when they receive two doses as recommended.
Vaccination is voluntary. Informed parental/guardian consent must be provided and will be documented in the child’s immunization record. Parents/guardians are able to access their child’s immunization record through MySaskHealthRecord.
Parents/guardians must have an account themselves, and the child’s information can be linked. Parents/guardians with MySaskHealthRecord who have not already made a request for access to a child’s immunization record are encouraged to do so. Those 14 and older must have their own account.
Vaccination, along with public health measures such as masking, hand hygiene, staying home when ill and physical distancing is an important tool to protect against COVID-19 illness.
Anyone who is eligible, which will soon include everyone five years and older, should get vaccinated. High community vaccination rates will help to protect those under five who are currently too young to be vaccinated.
When the vaccine is available, appointments can be made by calling 1-833-Sask-VAX (1-833-727-5829) or online at Saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine or at participating pharmacies. Further details will be provided through public service announcements, local social media posts and on the Saskatchewan.ca website.
Information on booking appointments and clinic information is available at Saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine.
