Saskatchewan COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Plan Saskatchewan is ready to receive and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Outline • Vaccine • Core principles and timelines • Phased approach • Logistics and distribution • Communications plan -1- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Vaccine • The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has established agreements with Astra Zeneca, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Medicago, and Moderna to secure COVID-19 vaccines for Canadians. • We anticipate that the vaccine will be delivered across Canada in multiple, small shipments over a period of time, beginning in December 2020. • Initially, there will be limited quantities of the vaccine available so each province and territory will receive a per capita allocation of the vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna. • These vaccines require two doses either 21 or 28 days apart. • Diligent prioritization of vaccines will be required to manage vaccine supplies and protect those most at risk. -2- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Core Principles & Timelines • Core planning principles: • All vaccines approved by Health Canada are equally effective and safe. • As soon as Health Canada approves the vaccine Saskatchewan will be ready to deliver. • PHAC has indicated vaccine may begin to arrive in Saskatchewan beginning in December 2020, with further shipments weekly after that. • Vaccine arrival is dependent on manufacturer production rates or potential issues with manufacturing. -3- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Saskatchewan's Phased Approach Pilot: December 15, 2020 • Isolated pilot with 1950 doses to immunize 1,950 people administered at Regina General Hospital. Phase 1: Expected to begin late December, 2020. • Targeted immunization of priority populations. • Planned administration of 202,052 doses. Phase 2: Expected to begin April 2021 • Continue priority populations and widespread access to immunization for the general population. • Timing of Phase 2 could occur earlier as vaccines are made available by PHAC. Ability to scale-up is possible in each phase -4- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Pilot: December 15th, 2020 • Saskatchewan will participate in a pilot of the shipping, delivery and storage of 1950 doses of the Pfizer ultra-frozen vaccine. • Pilot will see planned immunization of 1,950 health care workers administered at Regina General Hospital. • First recipients of vaccine will be health care workers in ICUs, Emergency Departments and Covid Units at Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals and testing and assessment centres. • Pilot recipients will receive their second dose 21 days following the administration of the first dose (during Phase 1). • Ability to move to Phase 1 if more vaccine is received. -5- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Phase 1: Targeted Immunization • Phase 1 anticipated to commence late December, 2020 and tailored to a Pfizer delivery schedule of 10,725 doses per week. (2-doses per individual) • Allocation of Moderna to be confirmed. • Estimated total of 202,052 doses from both vaccines in the first quarter of 2021 is anticipated. (2-doses per individual) • Immunization targeted to priority populations, including health care workers, long-term care residents, and vulnerable populations. • Allocation information is expected to be updated by PHAC on an ongoing basis. -6- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Phase 1: Prioritization Framework • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has issued guidance to provinces on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. • Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer has reviewed NACI guidelines and modified based on applicability to Saskatchewan’s demographics and logistical requirements. -7- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Phase 1: Prioritization Framework Saskatchewan’s framework for the targeted immunization is prioritized as follows: 1. Long-term care and personal care home residents and staff Total number estimate – 30,584 2. Health care workers in emergency departments, intensive care units, COVID￾19 wards and COVID testing and assessment staff Total number estimate 10,000-15,000 3. Residents 80 years and older in all communities; followed by 79-75, and 74- 70 in community as supplies allow total number estimate for each age range 80+ - 51,302 79-75 - 32,474 74-70 - 47,343 4. Residents over the age of 50 living in remote/ Northern Saskatchewan Total number estimate 8,921 -8- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Phase 2: Widespread Access • Phase 2 is anticipated to commence in April, 2021 and will continue priority population immunization and begin general population immunization. • Distribution to occur throughout the province at public health clinics and other vaccination delivery sites. • Vaccination Sites: Depending on vaccine flow, the goal is for all residents to be able to access vaccine where they live or work. Vaccinations will be done in LTC and PCH homes in phase one. Phase 2 - mass immunization clinics, and by physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. • Dependent on vaccine availability, sequencing of additional priority populations and general population access will be announced in subsequent planning updates. -9- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Phase 2: Widespread Access • Planning for redeployment of public service staff is underway to support administration tasks and data entry at vaccine sites. • Training of public service staff will commence during as soon as possible to ensure rapid readiness as needed. • Dependent upon vaccine availability, additional vaccine providers may be engaged such as pharmacists and physicians. Phase 2 to commence sooner should allocation allow -10- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Logistics & Distribution: Key Details • Frozen vaccines add a layer of complexity, requiring additional preparedness. – Pfizer vaccine: must be transported and stored in an ultra-low freezer, -70 C limitations on moving after delivery. – The Moderna vaccine: Delivered in frozen coolers and requires transportation and storage at frozen temperatures (-20°C). Less logistical impediments. • Freezer and equipment task group established to oversee freezers logistics. • PHAC has allotted Saskatchewan seven regular freezers and one ultra-low temperature freezer. • Ministry of Health has procured and awaiting delivery of 25 portable ultra-low freezers to assist with vaccine shipment across the province. • Additional regular freezers will be purchased to store Moderna’s vaccine in public health offices throughout the province. -11- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Internal Planning & Preparedness Logistical oversight and strategic direction will be provided by a multi-agency Steering Committee informed by the Immunization Planning Committee and internal working groups. • Steering Committee comprised of representatives from: – Ministry of Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Ministry of Government Relations, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, and Clinicians. Indigenous representation will be embedded into the committee structure. • Immunization planning committee and working groups to undertake the following activities: – Vaccine administration – Provide support for the accurate, timely, and reliable data collection and reporting of each COVID-19 immunization administered – Evaluation of program implementation and outcomes – Monitor the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine – Prepare for scenarios if we receive either more or less vaccine dosages, and any delays -12- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Immunization Administration • Saskatchewan has a robust immunization administration system called Panorama. • Panorama provides a record of all immunizations administered. • Additional resources being prepared to ensure every COVID-19 vaccination is entered into Panorama and supports are in place to remind residents to follow up for the appropriate second dose at the appropriate interval. • Individuals who receive COVID-19 vaccine will receive a record of first and second vaccination. -13- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Communications Plan • Provision of accurate, timely information: • Weekly public briefings to provide updated information. • Daily updates through COVID-19 news releases. • Dedicated web page at www.Saskatchewan.ca/COVID19- vaccine. -14- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Communications Plan • Active public promotion through significant public relations campaign: • Campaign to occur through all available channels and forums (print, TV, radio, digital, social, billboard, etc.). • Campaign will focus on providing accurate, timely information and increasing public awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine. • Campaign to begin this month, increase during Phase 1. -15- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Communications Focus • Safety of vaccine • Accurate immunization information • Prioritization of groups for vaccine • Need to maintain observance of health measures (masks etc.) Vaccination is the key to our return to normal -16- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 Saskatchewan is ready to receive and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine. -17- saskatchewan.ca/COVID19