REGINA — Saskatchewan is moving forward in its COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with the announcement of fourth doses becoming available for select residents.
Beginning on April 11, residents over the age of 70 are now able to receive a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, provided it has been at least four months since their first booster.
For many, this vaccine will be the fourth dose provided to them by health authority officials.
Alongside residents over 70, individuals over the age of 50 from First Nations communities and the Northern Service Administration District may also now receive a fourth dose.
Residents of long-term and personal care homes have had access to the additional booster shots since February.
Public health said that the fourth dose program is moving along, with expansion to include individuals over 50 in the eligibility criteria by May.
“Further expansion of the booster dose program will be publicly announced,” said a statement from public health.
In addition to expanding booster availability, the ministry of health also announced that the required interval between boosters has been updated.
Residents now must wait four months between booster doses, where previously guidelines required a five-month interval. This change applies to all eligible residents over the age of 12 seeking either a first or second booster.
Public health continues to encourage Saskatchewan residents to complete their vaccination series, including booster doses.
“Receiving the first, second and booster dose provides optimal protection against the Omicron variant, even if you have contracted and recovered from COVID-19,” said public health.
Saskatchewan currently has no public health orders in place requiring masking or vaccination proof province-wide.
