Adam received his first shot of Moderna on March 15. (Athabasca Health Authority/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

Pandemic

Traditional medicine sought as vaccine alternative in Far North

May 12, 2021 | 5:38 PM

Athabasca Health Authority (AHA) CEO Allan Adam said some residents of the Saskatchewan’s Far North are turning to traditional medicine to combat COVID-19.

In an interview with larongeNOW, he was asked about the low number of people deciding to receive a COVID vaccine in some Far North Central communities. Adam himself already has received two shots of the Moderna vaccine, which he described as one of the better ways of effectively dealing with the virus. But, he added, some residents have been seeking alternatives.

“Right now, people have choices and some people are trying traditional medicines as well too, and some people are choosing not to and some people are looking at the vaccine as a way to help them,” Adam said. “We do have choices and it’s a choice of what people take and, of course, as long as we take care of ourselves and we protect ourselves and stuff like that, we just hope others will do the same as well too. But, again, it’s rights and stuff like that and we have to respect that.”

As of Monday, AHA reported 15 per cent of the targeted population at Black Lake Denesuline First Nation was immunized, while 30 per cent of those at Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation had received a shot. Approximately 2,200 people live on-reserve in both communities.

In the Far North Central region, which has a population of 2,662 residents, there has been a total of 914 total vaccine dose given as of May 12. In total, 344 residents are fully vaccinated.

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“We’re still low, but now we’re encouraging younger people now too to get their vaccine,” Adam said. “That’s the important thing is to encourage everyone who is eligible now to get their vaccines to just get out and get them.”

Adam believes some of the reason vaccine uptake has been slow is because of the low number of active cases in the Far North Central region. There are currently no active cases, but as of May 12, there have been 354 cases and three deaths.

According to the provincial government, as of May 9, more than 50 per cent of Saskatchewan adults have received a first shot of COVID vaccine. Last week, it was announced more than 70 per cent of those 40 and up had received one.

“There could be hesitation in some areas, but again, we’re always trying to encourage people, but it’s a choice,” Adam said. “If people choose not to, then really all we have to do is wait and maybe some people will change their mind. That’s all we can do.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno