Unvaccinated could be putting their summer at risk: Saskatoon doctor

People in Saskatchewan are anxiously awaiting July 11, the date when all remaining COVID-related public health measures will be lifted.

But a Saskatoon doctor says it may be too soon to celebrate if the people around you aren’t vaccinated.

Dr. Satchan Takaya, the Saskatoon pandemic chief of staff for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, told The Brent Loucks Show on Tuesday it’s important to remember that just because the province is reopening doesn’t mean its residents are completely safe.

Takaya urged people to get vaccinated to keep themselves and others around them safe, especially the younger population that can face harsher reactions to the Delta variant.

“We still know that COVID is a very bad disease, so on a personal level if each individual isn’t vaccinated, then you’re still at risk of getting COVID,” Takaya said. “Remember that if you’re in a big crowd or there is lots of people, keep those masks on (and) social distance.”

Another push to keep getting COVID jabs put in everyone’s arms is a potentially slow and uneventful summer for the unvaccinated.

“I don’t know that it’s mandated yet but as things unfold that’s always a potential that you may not be able to attend your favourite concert (for example) because you don’t have a vaccine,” Takaya said.

Saskatchewan Roughriders games, exhibitions, concerts and backyard parties are all things people can look forward to this summer if they get their vaccine.

Even if it isn’t mandatory to have a vaccine to go to these types of events, doctors have urged residents to get their shots to keep everyone safe.

Payton Zillich, 650 CKOM