Sask. vaccination campaign will target unvaccinated residents in August

Sask. vaccination effort switches gears WATCH: Saskatchewan vaccine plan is changing its approach from mass vaccination to outreach. Marc Smith reports.

REGINA — The Government of Saskatchewan will focus on under and unvaccinated individuals as it transitions from mass-vacciantion to outreach in August.

On Aug. 8 the Saskatchewan Health Authority-operated vaccine drive-thrus and appointment system will be discontinued. Walk in clinics will be accessible in public spaces like post-secondary campuses, grocery stores, powwows, provincial parks and community centres.

In Regina on Monday, pop-up clinics were available at the Victoria Square Mall, the food bank and the Al Ritchie Community Health Clinic.

The SHA has also set up at places like pools with a focus on lower income neighbourhoods.

“We have areas within the cities, within the north and certain pockets within the province that have low vaccination rates,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said.

Health officials say there’s been a significant decrease in demand for mass immunization sites.

“We’re starting to see an increase in demand for what we call pop-up or outreach clinics,” Sheila Anderson, the SHA’s emergency operation centre vaccine chief said. “These are mobile clinics that we go out in the community where people live, work and play and are offering [vaccines] right where they are.”

Pharmacies will continue to independently book vaccination appointments. Residents are encouraged to check out local clinic options in the communities they are vacationing in.

Saskatchewan has supplies to fully immunize 85 per cent of residents. Sixty-two per cent of Saskatchewan residents are fully vaccinated.