On-Line Booking COVID - 19 Vaccine Shots For People 85 And Over Opens This Morning
If you are 85 and over or know someone who is and they wish to be vaccinated against contracting COVID - 19 starting this morning at 8 am you can go on-line to book a vaccination appointment.
The province has moved from a previous phone call system to a new on-line system to book vaccination appointments.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority's (SHA) new online booking system can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine, and will also indicate which age category is currently eligible for appointments.
Alternatively, patients can speak by phone to a booking agent for help with their appointment. The Vaccine Call Centre operates 8 am to 11 pm, 7 days per week and can be accessed by calling 1-833-SASK-VAX (1-833-727-5829).
Once the online booking system is operational, SHA will be phasing out the existing process of direct phone-calls to eligible individuals. Eligible patients should go to the new booking system and not wait for a phone call.
"The launch of the new patient booking system is a huge step forward in our efforts to get faster and more efficient at delivering COVID-19 vaccines," Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a statement. "Booking your appointment online will only take a few minutes, making things simple and fast for those who are scheduling their appointments."
In order to book a vaccination appointment through the new on-line system you will need the patients:
a valid health card; and
a cell phone number or email address where notifications will be sent.
Vaccinations are being offered to those 85 and over at this time but as more vaccine supply becomes available the SHA will open up vaccination appointments to younger residents.
The province is vaccinating residents based upon age because those facing the worst health outcomes including death is statistically older residents.
The SHA requests that it is critical that residents who are not eligible DO NOT CALL the call centre as it will stress the infrastructure and even delay eligible residents from being vaccinated.
For those who do book appointments you will require proper identification to ensure proper identification of those who show up to be vaccinated are the people who are register.
Any attempts to jump the queue will NOT BE ALLOWED and in their release the Province warns individuals who do attempt to do so by using false information face potential criminal investigation.