The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has started the process of administering the COVID-19 vaccine in the Estevan area.
In an email to the Mercury, the SHA said the type of vaccine being provided in Estevan is the Pfizer vaccine and they have just over 1,000 doses for the network, which will cover Estevan and surrounding communities, including First Nation communities.
Long-term care and health centres in Estevan, Gainsborough, Oxbow, Carlyle, Redvers and Carnduff are slated to receive the vaccine.
This will be the first dose only, with the second doses scheduled for these groups at the end of March.
As part of the phase 1 rollout of the vaccine, long-term care and personal care home residents, certain prioritized health care workers and those over the age of 70 years are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Estevan and area this week.
Among those to receive the vaccine thus far were long-term care residents at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Thursday and staff members at St. Joseph’s on Friday. The process of immunizing residents at Creighton Lodge is expected to begin Saturday.
Those who are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time will be contacted directly to have their appointments scheduled. Due to limited vaccine supply at this time, the SHA says immunization of populations over the age of 70 years is randomized for equitable access and the SHA asks for patience as they continue to provide vaccine to all eligible persons through phase 1 of the rollout.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
