The Saskatchewan government has officially announced that pharmacists will have a key role in delivering vaccines for the province’s COVID-19 mass vaccination program.
Community pharmacies will have COVID-19 vaccines available in Phase 2 of the province’s immunization plan, creating more public access to doses and improving the rate of vaccination across Saskatchewan. The government is hopeful mass vaccinations will begin in April.
“We appreciate that Saskatchewan pharmacists are ready to step up and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine,” reads a statement by Health Minister Paul Merriman on Monday. “The Government of Saskatchewan is working hard to make sure COVID-19 vaccine is safely delivered into the arms of Saskatchewan residents through all possible avenues.”
The government says details of the logistics involving pharmacies are still being developed, including which community pharmacies will be participating.
“We are proud to join other health care professionals in providing safe, timely access to COVID-19 vaccinations for Saskatchewan residents,” said Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan Board Chair George Furneaux.
According to the government, a new tentative pharmacy Proprietor Agreement with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan has been negotiated for a one-year term starting March 1. It establishes the fee for pharmacy delivery of vaccines and increases prescription dispensing fees and influenza vaccine fees.
