Saskatchewan Opens Bookings for Free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines
- Saskatchewan has officially opened bookings for free fall influenza and COVID-19 immunizations as public health surveillance confirms 815 confirmed influenza cases for the week ending Sept.
- Fall immunization bookings for both flu and COVID-19 opened on Tuesday, with clinics scheduled to start administering doses the week of Oct.
- We are beginning to have increased activity in the community, so more people getting sick, also getting some outbreaks earlier on, said Dr.
Saskatchewan has officially opened bookings for free fall influenza and COVID-19 immunizations as public health surveillance confirms 815 confirmed influenza cases for the week ending Sept. 26, up significantly from 291 cases during the week ending Sept. 5, cbc.ca reported.
Saskatchewan Vaccine Bookings Open As Respiratory Illness Rises
Fall immunization bookings for both flu and COVID-19 opened on Tuesday, with clinics scheduled to start administering doses the week of Oct. 13. All residents aged six months and older are eligible for free shots through pharmacies, family physicians, and mass flu clinics. Appointments can be scheduled online at 4flu.ca, according to cbc.ca reporting.
We are beginning to have increased activity in the community, so more people getting sick, also getting some outbreaks earlier on,
said Dr. Vivian Onaemo, a medical health officer based in Saskatoon who leads the city’s public immunizations.
Onaemo noted that it remains too early to gauge the full severity of the upcoming season, though surveillance tracking will provide clearer indicators as months progress. Alongside vaccination, public health guidance urges residents to practice regular hand hygiene and stay home when feeling ill.
University of Waterloo Research Targets Coronavirus Replication Proteins
As seasonal immunization efforts ramp up, scientific investigation into viral mechanics continues at the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon. Todd Holyoak, a biology professor at the University of Waterloo, is utilizing the synchrotron facility to examine a specific protein essential for the replication of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Provincial Immunization Rollouts Expand Across Canada
Public health jurisdictions across the country are deploying varied regional timelines and eligibility rules for respiratory immunizations this autumn. In Ontario, Grand Erie Public Health announced that influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will be available starting Oct. 26 for everyone six months of age and older at participating pharmacies and healthcare providers. Algoma Public Health similarly structured its rollout to prioritize high-risk groups, including long-term care residents and hospital staff, beginning Oct. 15 before opening broader access on Oct. 26.
Ontario’s provincial programs also include expanded access to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines. Adults aged 60 to 74 meeting specific high-risk criteria, individuals 75 and older, and pregnant individuals seeking protection for newborns can receive free RSV immunizations year-round, while infant RSV immunization programs began Oct. 1 for eligible babies.
Further west, Alberta launched its seasonal immunization program covering RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, with appointments beginning Oct. 19. While eligible groups—such as seniors, pregnant individuals, healthcare workers, and children with underlying medical conditions—receive the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge, other Albertans aged 12 and older can access the shot for a $100 fee through participating pharmacies.