'Micro-targeting' strategies in development to address low COVID-19 vaccine uptake in some Sask. communities
Saskatchewan health officials are working on a plan to address low COVID-19 vaccine uptake in a number of communities around the province.
Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, said while case rates are lowering at the provincial level, some communities are seeing “clusters” of cases pop up.
“We have pockets of high case clusters, especially in parts of the province where vaccination rates are low,” Shahab said. “There seems to be a tight correlation between that.”
As a result, the province is working on a “micro-targeting” strategy, to attempt to raise vaccination rates in specific communities.
Premier Scott Moe said the Saskatchewan Health Authority is working alongside pharmacies to make more vaccinations available in some rural and remote communities that have lower vaccination rates.
Shahab said it is “critical” that the province work community to community in specific areas to increase vaccine uptake. The province has rolled out door-to-door vaccination campaigns and pop-up clinics in rural and remote areas previously, with varying results between communities.
“Those are the efforts that are being made and have to be made in the days ahead, in order for us to really target those communities that might have a little bit lower vaccination rate, to not only make those vaccines available, but to bring it right to your doorstep in some cases,” Moe said.
Marlo Pritchard, president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), said discussions are ongoing between the SHA, Ministry of Health and SPSA to develop and roll out community-specific vaccination strategies.
The plans for individual communities will be developed with input from local leaders and health care staff. Shahab said the locally devised strategies will look to address potential accessibility issues and provide education about the shot.
Pritchard said the province will provide more details about local vaccination strategies as they are developed in the coming days and weeks.
As of Thursday, Dr. Shahab said 87 per cent of the province has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 82 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Both Shahab and the premier attributed the lowering case rates and rising vaccine uptake to the province’s public health orders, which will be in effect until at least Jan. 31, 2022.
“Since the implementation of these simple measures over September, October, we have seen a gradual decline in case rate and we’ve also seen an increase in vaccination rates,” Shahab said.
“We really hope that if you stay the course over December and January, with the extension of these measures, we will have a safe, happy holiday season.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.