SHA outlines plan for extra vaccine doses at COVID-19 clinics

The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s executive director of infrastructure management says there’s a plan now for when there are extra COVID-19 doses at clinics.

Derek Miller says the SHA has established a work standard to help local teams manage cases where there are extra vaccines left over after those who who were already booked for appointments have had their turn.

“They would have a number of individuals identified that fit within the eligibility grouping that would be on standby that could be called in to receive any extra doses that might be available,” he explained.

He added it’s now a requirement of the vaccination teams to have that set up.

Last month, names were drawn out of a basket at Regina’s Qu’Appelle House Special Care Home when there were six extra doses left after others in the home had been vaccinated.

Fifteen assisted living residents who lived in their own suites were placed in what resident Harold Olson called “a lottery.”

In Prince Albert, three doses were also left over in late January after a clinic concluded at the Mont St. Joseph Care Home. Two of the doses went to board members of the care home, one of whom was under the age of 70, and the third was given to a member of the clergy.