Sask. to get 90,000 doses of bivalent COVID vaccine in first two shipments

On Thursday morning, Health Canada approved the first vaccine against COVID-19 that targets both the original virus and Omicron.

The new shots from Moderna, called bivalent vaccines, are designed to recognize specific mutations in the spike protein of the Omicron BA.1 subvariant.

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health said the new vaccine would be offered as a booster dose, so only those who are already fully vaccinated with two doses, or one of the Janssen vaccine, will able to get the bivalent vaccine.

Canada has already purchased 12 million doses of Moderna’s version of the Omicron vaccine. The Saskatchewan government is expecting 90,000 doses in its first two shipments — expected next week and the week after — and more later on in September.

Since the supply will be limited at first, the provincial government is putting together a plan for the rollout, which could include giving the most vulnerable people priority.

Last week, Dr. Saqib Shahab — the province’s chief medical health officer — suggested the rollout could be based on age, like the first vaccine plans.

More information on the vaccine and rollout plan is expected next week, depending on the federal delivery timelines.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that people over the age of 18 should be offered the Omicron booster, but if one is not available, they should still get boosted with an original COVID-19 vaccine.

— With files from The Canadian Press