Fall immunization clinic emphasizes importance of vaccinations

The province is encouraging residents to get their flu and COVID-19 shots this fall. Jacob Carr reports.

Saskatchewan’s chief medical officer Dr. Saqib Shahab was one of a handful of health officials to roll up their sleeves on Tuesday to receive the latest influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.

It was all part of the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) fall immunization campaign.

Despite being over five years removed from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SHA said it is still vital that Saskatchewan residents keep up with their COVID vaccinations.

“So, it’s important, yeah all the previous vaccines we received, all the immunity we build up because of COVID disease in the past, but it’s great to actually receive that booster dose with the latest subvariant in it,” medical health officer Dr. Tania Diener told CTV News.

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Indigenous Services Canada medical health officer Dr. Ibrahim Khan was also on hand at the Eastview Community Centre to get his fall vaccinations.

He told CTV News that the influenza virus can spread very quickly, especially for Indigenous people with chronic conditions living in overcrowded housing.

“For this particular flu season, we urge everybody to share tradition and not the flu. And I think it’s not just the individual protection, if you get a flu vaccine, you not only protect yourself, but you also protect your family and you protect your community.”

Shahab agreed that it the importance of the flu and COVID vaccines are amplified when it comes to the most vulnerable of Saskatchewan’s population.

“People 65 and older have the highest rates of hospitalization from respiratory illness related complications, compared to the general adult population. To help create a stronger immune response, enhanced influenza vaccine is available for all residents aged 65 and older.”

The SHA said that as of Tuesday morning, over 11,500 vaccination appointments had been booked across the province.