A photo of a vaccine file.
The province warned Friday that respiratory illnesses continue to spread across all regions of Saskatchewan, putting pressure on the province’s acute and primary health care systems as people seek treatment for their symptoms.
In response, the Department of Health has advised residents to ensure they are vaccinated to help reduce stress on the health system.
“It is important to keep up with your vaccinations,” the ministry said in a press release. “Having a COVID-19 booster in the past six months reduces the risk of death from COVID-19 by eight times compared to unvaccinated individuals and more than four times compared to those without a recent booster.
Both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are available. The ministry says both vaccines are safe and can prevent serious respiratory illnesses.
All residents six months and older are eligible to receive a flu shot. Children aged six months to four years can only be immunized at a public health service or by a doctor or nurse. Only selected doctor’s offices offer flu shots.
Residents five and older can get their flu shot at participating pharmacies, SHA community health clinics and some doctors and nurse practitioners.
Contact your pharmacy or doctor’s office to see if they provide flu shots. SHA vaccination appointment booking options can be found at 4flu.ca.
All residents six months and older are eligible to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.
Those five years and older should receive one bivalent booster four months after completing their primary series or after their last booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine (regardless of how many doses you received before).
However, if you are 12 years of age or older and received an original COVID-19 vaccine for your fall booster instead of a bivalent vaccine, you are not eligible to receive a bivalent dose at this time. Epidemiological evidence, evidence of waning immunity, emerging variants, and new vaccines will determine future booster dose recommendations.
Children aged six months to four years are not eligible to receive a booster dose at this time, but must complete their primary series.
You can book your vaccination through SHA online or visit a reception clinic.
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