A sign points the way to a drive-thru immunization clinic north of P.A. that is expected to operate as part of Phase 2 vaccinations beginning in April.(Teena Monteleone/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

signs of progress

Phase 1 vaccines set to accelerate as Phase 2 preparations continue

Mar 2, 2021 | 5:55 PM

With remaining Phase 1 vaccinations expected to be accelerated in the coming weeks, one of the most visible signs yet the provincial government is ramping up preparations for the much wider Phase 2 of its mass rollout can be seen north of the city of Prince Albert.

A road sign on Highway 2 pointing to a drive-thru immunization site has been erected.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) confirmed the site will be used for Phase 2. It is not operational at the moment and the specific location has not yet been publicized.

The provincial government has said Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in April-June depending on available vaccine supplies. This phase will focus on vaccinating the general population in 10-year increments.

Map of clinics for Far North /North (Saskatchewan Health Authority)

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Drive-thru and walk-in clinics are part of the plans. They will be among 230 clinics the SHA says will be operational across the province. Public health clinics and mass immunization clinics are also being planned, in addition to pharmacies, physician offices, and partnerships with community-based organizations.

Phase 1 picks up steam

Meanwhile, Health Canada said Tuesday 945,000 vaccines are expected to be received in this country this week, including the first 500,000 shots of the newly approved Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

In Saskatchewan many of the estimated 131,000 people over the age of 70 (who are part of Phase 1) are still awaiting news on when they can book their jabs and Premier Scott Moe appeared to have positive news.

“We’d all like to be getting our first dose a little quicker… and things will be picking up in the next number of weeks,” Moe said during a media conference Tuesday. “Saskatchewan will receive about 112,000 (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines in the month of March, which is more than the total received thus far this year.”

He added around 15,000 doses of the recently approved AstraZeneca vaccine are coming this month as well.

Moe said the new SHA appointment system is expected to be launched next week, “…which means eligible residents over 70 will soon be able to call in or book an appointment online. As deliveries pick up even more as we get through March and into April more residents will then be able to register either on the phone or online.”

Moe added with a decision set to be made to expand the gap to 16 weeks between first and second doses it was possible all adults in Saskatchewan could receive their first dose by June and that would allow discussion on the possible relaxation of social restrictions.

Don’t call HealthLine 811.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority said Tuesday this booking system is currently in development and is not yet available. It asked for the public’s patience as this work continues.

SHA added appointments for vaccines cannot be booked through HealthLine 811 and the public should not use that line for that purpose. More information on online booking, including a completely separate phone line for this purpose will be made available soon.

SHA has said information will be publicly shared on how to get vaccinated. This will let the public know: when it’s time to be vaccinated, how to register for a vaccine appointment, the different types of immunization clinics available, and how to find the closest clinics to you.

The province has said this information will be included in: advertising in local media, social media, online ads, local publications, posters, direct mail, news conferences.

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Editor’s note: this story was amended to make clear the government was set to expand the gap between first and second doses to 16 weeks not 12 weeks as initially reported.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @princealbertnow