Following the launch of the new online and phone appointment booking system, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is reporting that it has booked 10, 636 individuals over the age of 80 for their COVID-19 vaccinations.
The new booking system went live on March 11, allowing residents aged 85 years or older to book their first-dose appointment either online or by calling the SHA’s Vaccine Call Centre.
The SHA said that 3,836 appointments had already been booked by individuals across Saskatchewan by 2 p.m. that day.
The success of the booking system’s launch prompted public health to expand to allow individuals over the age of 80 to begin booking their appointments on March 12. A total of 5,616 appointments were made by 11 a.m. that day.
Since the booking system launched, the SHA shared that 8,552 or 80 per cent of appointments were made using the online tool, while 2,084 or 20 per cent of appointments were made through the phone line.
The phone line received less calls from ineligible residents during the second day it was open, and also resolved an issue individuals were having when calling from a cell phone.
Residents are reminded that the online and phone booking system is only available to eligible individuals in the 80+ years range who are booking an appointment for their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The availability of vaccine appointments is also currently dependent on vaccine availability, and current demand for vaccines outweighs the province’s supplies at this time.
For more information on vaccine delivery in Saskatchewan, visit saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine.
