COVID-19 Immunization Eligibility

2025 Spring COVID-19 Immunization Eligibility 

Saskatchewan residents at high-risk of severe COVID-19 illness and outcomes now have access to an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine until June 14, 2025. Individuals are encouraged to obtain the additional dose if they are:

• Adults 80 years of age and older;

• Adult residents of long-term care facilities, personal care homes and other group living settings for seniors;

• Six months of age and older and moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment; or 

• Previously vaccinated adults ages 65-79 may also receive an additional dose.

Until June 14, 2025, those who are not yet immunized with a 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine or those who need to complete a primary series, can also get immunized.

COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing severe illness, including hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 and can decrease the risk of Long COVID (also known as post-COVID-19 condition).

The additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to be given at least two months from the individual’s last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

For eligible individuals, COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available through Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) clinics, and at participating pharmacies throughout the province. Eligible individuals can visit saskhealthauthority.ca/COVID-19 to view walk-in clinic availability in your area, or check for clinic listings on the SHA Patient Booking System If you are unable to find a booked or walk in clinic in your area please call your local Public Health office to make an appointment or check with your local pharmacy.            

For assistance scheduling an appointment, call 1-833-727-5829 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

COVID-19 immunization resources

Strategies for parents and caregivers

Being immunized can be nerve-wracking for both children and their caregivers. Below you will find some strategies and resources to help best prepare for and receive immunization.

Consider the following when planning your child’s immunization:

• Preparation
  Your child likely has many questions about immunization, and you may as well. You can find lots of information on the Government of Saskatchewan website, or in one of the other resources listed below.
  • Be honest with your child and share information with simple, neutral language about why immunization is important and what to expect
  • Be encouraging, confident and calm so that your child can learn to feel the same way about immunizations
  • Avoid using pain descriptors such as pinch or sting, or saying, "It will be over soon," or "It will be OK," as these may increase anxiety
• Make a Coping and Distraction Plan
  You know best what can comfort and distract your child, so plan to use those techniques during the immunization appointments. Be sure to bring along comfort items such as a stuffed animal or blanket, consider bringing a distraction such a mobile device with their favourite song or video. You can find additional distraction ideas on the Distractions Techniques poster below.
• Use Positions of Comfort
  Reduce stress and help keep your child still during immunization by finding the most comfortable position to receive the vaccine. 
• Consider Using Numbing Cream
  Numbing cream is available over-the-counter at many pharmacies. This topical cream helps to reduce sensation in the upper layers of skin to help reduce pain/discomfort from the immunization needle. Most creams need at least 20-60 minutes to reduce sensation, so plan accordingly for your immunization appointment. Please note that SHA clinics do NOT have numbing cream and immunizers cannot apply it , it is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to obtain and apply the product.

Other online resources

Vaccine information and safety

• COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Lots of great information on the vaccines from the Canadian Paediatric Society 
• Vaccines & Immunization: From Public Health Canada
• How to talk to your children about COVID-19 vaccines: a simple guide from UNICEF
• Should I get my child vaccinated?: Short video from First Nations Health Authority featuring Dr. Danièle Behn Smith

Parent resources

• Kids In Pain: Resources for pain and fear management in children, with lots of great tools for caregivers and kids.
• Max the Vax: Youth-focused resources about COVID-19 vaccines.
• Needles Don't Have to Hurt: Poster with lots of great tips from a number of healthcare agencies in Canada.
• Mom Hack: When Kids Are Afraid of Needles: short video made by moms for moms with lots of great tips.
• Jesse the Bear: Story about a young bear a bit nervous about getting vaccinated, from the BC Centre for Disease Control
  • Jesse's Story colouring pages
  • Vaccine Hero Badge and colouring page