Saskatchewan pharmacists set to administer COVID-19 vaccines

Saskatchewan residents will soon be able to receiveCOVID-19 vaccine from a local pharmacy.

Dawn Martin, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan, says a limited pilotofthe service will begin at the end of the month, before openingupto more people in May.

"It will follow all of the public health age categories and will be under that direction," she said. "Recently announced will be some of those key essential workers that are in grocery stores where there's a pharmacy co-located."

Martin said vaccine administration will begin with the Pfizer vaccine on April 26, andthe Moderna vaccine is expected to follow by the first week of May.

Giventhat pharmacists have been administering flu and travel vaccinations for over six years, Martin says, they have the necessary training needed to administerthe COVID vaccine.

Martinsaid pharmacists are also being trained to respond to vaccine hesitancy.

Pharmacists "are looking forward to being able to help contribute to the great work that has been going so far in the vaccination efforts," Martinsaid. "It makes sense that when you have a resource at hand that can help you get that vaccine out that you use them."

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Appointments will be handled directly by the individual pharmacies, so booking systems will vary. While there are no clear plans for a second dose strategy yet, Martinsays she expects a clearer picture of the plan in the coming weeks.