The Saskatchewan Health Authority is advising residents that there has been a delay in the shipment of Pfizer vaccines expected to arrive the week of June 21. As a result, some immunization clinics scheduled this week will be offering the Moderna vaccine instead, starting on Wednesday, June 23.
Residents with booked appointments who are affected by this delay will be contacted to inform them of the change in vaccine brand – appointment times and locations will remain the same.
If clients opted for text or email notifications, they will receive notification through that channel. If clients did not sign up for alerts, they will be contacted directly by the SHA.
Youth, aged 12 – 17, can only receive the Pfizer vaccine. Any youths who are affected by the delay will be contacted directly to discuss arrangements for immunization.
Drive-thru and walk-in immunization clinics list the vaccine available and will be updated to reflect any changes to the vaccine available. Please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/drive-thru-vax for the most up-to-date information.
As advised by National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA) vaccines can be safely substituted for each other. Saskatchewan's clinical experts advise residents affected by this delay to accept Moderna for their second dose, as it is safe and effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Additional delays of vaccine are likely to happen again, which is why it is important to take the vaccine offered now, instead of waiting and putting yourself and your loved ones at increased risk from COVID-19 and variants of concern. By completing both doses as soon as possible you reduce that risk.
For more information on COVID-19 please visit Saskatchewan.ca/covid19.
