SUN adds its voice to organizations calling for change to Sask. COVID vaccine rollout

Calls for the provincial government to adjust its COVID-19 vaccine strategy are growing, with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses adding its name to the list of those who have called for change.

SUN president Tracy Zambory believes only about half of all Registered Nurses in the province have had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot. There are about 10,000 RNs in Saskatchewan, more than 7,500 of whom are under the age of 50.

As of Friday morning, only those 55 and over are eligible to book a vaccine appointment by telephone or online. Those who are 53 and 54 can access a drive-through in Regina for a Pfizer vaccine starting Friday, while others 55 and over can go to other drive-throughs and some walk-in clinics across the province if they choose the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Zambory says the variants of concern — which spread faster and are deadlier — are affecting people who are part of the prime working-age population.

“That is extremely concerning to our members,” she said. “And it is extremely concerning to the rest of Saskatchewan simply because our health-care system and our economy cannot have the people who are working to make sure that (the economy) is going to come down ill.”

Hospital ICUs in Regina are now running between 115 and 130 per cent capacity, and patients are now being sent to Saskatoon for treatment.

“We know there are very sick people right across this province,” she added. “We completely stand behind the (Saskatchewan Medical Association) on how we must vaccinate all health-care workers — in fact, all essential workers. We need to move away from the strategy of the age and we need to get vaccination of those important people as soon as possible.”

Premier Scott Moe and Health Minister Paul Merriman have said some groups have already been targeted for vaccinations, including those in long-term care and nursing homes, some frontline health-care workers and those in shelters.

However, the base of the vaccination program — which goes by age — will remain as is, otherwise there may be a delay in the vaccine rollout program as it stands right now.

Zambory doesn’t believe that would happen.

“There is no research and evidence to support that statement,” she explained. “So let’s not put up false barriers. What we should be trying to do — all of us together — is figuring out how we can get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.”

As for nurses, Zambory says they’re fearful of getting the virus and of passing it on to their friends or family, and they’re fearful for their patients that come in to hospitals.

She ultimately believes if nothing changes, the health-care system in Saskatchewan may start to collapse in just a few weeks.