Starting today, Saskatchewan residents are able to begin booking appointments to receive this year’s flu vaccine.
“The Government of Saskatchewan strongly encourages residents to get their flu shot this year,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “Protecting yourself and your loved ones from contracting influenza is a simple thing we can all do to further ease the pressure on our health care system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For the first time, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is providing an online option for booking your appointment. A flu shot booking tool is now available on their website at www.4flu.ca. Flu shot appointments can also be booked by telephone at 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-787-5829).
SHA operated flu shot clinics begin on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
Also new this year, COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at most SHA operated flu shot clinics, so residents can receive both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time and location. The COVID-19 vaccinations can also be booked using the same online flu shot appointment tool at www.4flu.ca or by telephone at 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-787-5829). If you need both a COVID and flu shot, only one appointment is needed. Health staff are trained to offer both vaccines to those eligible.
“All Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines,” Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID-19 Immunization Co-Chief, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Dr. Tania Diener said. “No additional safety risks or adverse events following immunization have been identified by simultaneous administration of these vaccines.”
“The path out of this pandemic is to get as many people as possible vaccinated against COVID-19,” Merriman said. “To that end, we are making every effort to make the COVID-19 vaccine readily available to residents across the province, including the convenience of booking and receiving your flu vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time and place.”
The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to once again be partnering with the province’s many local pharmacies to provide additional options for residents to receive their flu shot.
“Saskatchewan pharmacists are honored to be a part of the health care team offering flu shot services to Saskatchewan residents once again this year,” Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan Interim CEO Virginia Wilkinson said. “Pharmacists are among the most publicly accessible health care professionals across the province, so we are able to offer flu shots to Saskatchewan residents when and where they need them. In fact, more than 380 pharmacies across Saskatchewan are available to administer flu shots to residents aged five and older, with most offering extended hours and convenient locations.”
A complete list of pharmacies offering influenza vaccinations this season can be found on the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan website at https://www.skpharmacists.ca/site/patients/flu-shots.
All Saskatchewan residents ages six months and older are eligible to get a free influenza vaccine every year.
The flu vaccine is a safe, effective way to help people stay healthy, prevent illness and save lives.