Advertisement

COVID-19 vaccine appointments fully booked in Regina, Saskatoon due to high demand

Click to play video: 'COVID-19 vaccine appointments fully booked in Regina, Saskatoon'
COVID-19 vaccine appointments fully booked in Regina, Saskatoon
WATCH: Saskatchewan residents 44 years of age and older are now able to get vaccinated causing a rush to book online and headaches for some who were told they'd need to take a trip to get their shot. – Apr 23, 2021

Saskatchewan residents trying to reserve their COVID-19 appointments are having a hard time booking due to high demand.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority opened up booking availability to those 44 years of age and older.

“The [Saskatchewan] Patient Booking System has been very popular today [Apr 22], with many individuals logging on to book appointments. Please remember that demand for appointments outweighs current available supply,” SHA said in a Tweet Thursday.
Story continues below advertisement

SHA said there are currently more clinic options in rural and northern communities than in urban centres like Regina and Saskatoon.

“That is because all appointments in these centres are currently booked. We expect more appointments to be added in these communities by Apr 28,” SHA said.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Additional clinics will be added to the Patient Booking System as new vaccine shipments are received. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm.”

On Tuesday, the province expanded its AstraZeneca eligibility to those 40 years of age and older.

The province said there are nearly 15,000 doses of AstraZeneca currently in the province with less than 9,000 available to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, who are administering the vaccine.

Story continues below advertisement

“With the recent change to the minimum age for use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, residents should be aware that any one of the three approved vaccines — Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca — may be offered at their chosen clinic. All are safe and approved for use,” SHA said in a released Wednesday.

However, the only drive-thru and walk-in clinic open in the province is in North Battleford.

Those 40 years of age and older living in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, all remaining Phase 1 health-care workers, priority-sequenced Phase 2 health-care workers, and people with underlying health conditions who are clinically extremely vulnerable through an eligibility letter are also able to book online.

Click to play video: 'Canada reaches 10.8 million COVID-19 inoculations: Dr. Njoo'
Canada reaches 10.8 million COVID-19 inoculations: Dr. Njoo

Sponsored content

AdChoices