saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan February 9, 2021 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 3 COVID-19 Vaccines ........................................................................................................ 5 Approach......................................................................................................................... 7 Accessibility................................................................................................................... 12 Keeping People Informed.............................................................................................. 21 Engagement and Oversight........................................................................................... 22 3 Executive Summary The goal of the COVID-19 immunization program is to: • Protect the most high risk and vulnerable. • Minimize serious illness and death. • Protect the capacity of the health care system. • Minimize the spread of COVID-19. Saskatchewan is using a phased approach to deliver COVID-19 vaccine. This began in December 2020 with a pilot project that immunized approximately 1,950 health care workers. Phase 1 of Saskatchewan’s Immunization Delivery Plan is currently underway and is focused on vaccinating high-risk populations, such as people of advanced age and health care workers more likely to be in direct contact with COVID-19 positive patients. This phase includes all long-term care and personal care home residents and staff; health care workers in emergency departments; intensive care units; COVID-19 wards; COVID testing and assessment staff; respiratory therapists; code blue and trauma teams; EMS, road and air transport teams; residents 70 years and older in all communities: and residents over 50 living in remote, northern communities. In Phase 2, vaccination eligibility will focus on the general population in 10-year age increments, starting with ages 60-69, and proceeding to younger groups. For example, once Saskatchewan residents age 70+ have been vaccinated, ages 60-69 will be next, followed by 50-59, scaling down in 10-year increments to the population aged 18 (Moderna) and 16 (Pfizer). However, age groupings may expand under the age of 50 if vaccine supplies allow. Targeted vaccinations for residents and staff of emergency shelters and group homes for persons with intellectual disabilities, as well as clinically extremely vulnerable adults, will also be included as a priority in Phase 2. Close collaboration with First Nations and Métis leadership will assist in timely vaccination delivery to those communities. Through the COVID-19 Immunization Planning Indigenous Advisory Committee, we will work with First Nations leadership to ensure effective communication regarding vaccine delivery. The highest risk factor for more serious disease and poor outcomes, including death, is age. People of advanced age are also more likely to be immunocompromised or living with other chronic conditions. Vaccinating by age demographics will enable speed and efficiency in vaccinating the largest number of residents possible. A cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 immunization program is accessibility. Residents will be able to obtain access to vaccine through appointments — booked online or via 811, through non-appointment drive-thru clinics or through participating pharmacies. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will operate 226 clinics in 181 communities around the province to offer vaccine to Saskatchewan residents. 4 Community pharmacies will also offer vaccination services. There are approximately 410 pharmacies in nearly 130 communities in Saskatchewan. During the 2021 flu season, 385 pharmacies in 113 different communities participated in the influenza immunization program. The Government of Saskatchewan has reached an agreement with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan on the details surrounding the administration of COVID-19 vaccine by pharmacists in the province. With that agreement finalized, plans are in place to follow the successful flu immunization model to administer COVID-19 vaccine, increasing immunization capacity in the province and allowing more Saskatchewan residents to be immunized closer to home. Mobile clinics will also be available in select communities. Saskatchewan COVID-19 Clinics Mass immunization clinics 141 Drive-thru clinics 24 Mobile clinics 61 Total clinics 226 Information will be made available to Saskatchewan residents via direct mail, social media, public services announcements, television and radio advertisements, and online at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine to outline: • When it is your time to be vaccinated. • How to register for a vaccine appointment. • The different types of immunization clinics available. • How to find the closest clinics to you. A full listing of clinic locations and times will be available at www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine. Residents will also be able to call 811 – a toll-free phone line – to book appointments. The online scheduling system will be live on www.saskatchewan.ca in March 2021. A Human Resourcing Task Team has been established under the COVID-19 immunization planning committee structure, with representation from program areas across the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Ministry of Health. The task team has developed a Human Resource Immunization Strategy, which will support operations to achieve full readiness in March 2021. An integrated safety and security strategy has been developed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to consider delivery and handover of vaccine; storage of vaccine; transportation of vaccine; vaccination clinic operations; and cyber-security threats. Through the COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan and the approach to immunizations in Phase 2, Saskatchewan residents will be receiving vaccines in a faster, smarter and safe manner. 5 COVID-19 Vaccines The process of creating a new vaccine is generally a lengthy process. However, the development of COVID-19 vaccines has progressed quickly around the world due to advances in science and technology, unprecedented funding and increased international collaboration. Scientists have also been aided by previous work on similar viruses. Since SARS-CoV￾2, the scientific name for COVID-19, is a coronavirus, it has similar characteristics to previous ones, including the original SARS virus. As a result, there was an existing foundation to build upon when work began on the development of a vaccine for COVID￾19. Currently, there are more than 150 potential COVID-19 vaccines in various stages of development around the world. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has pre￾purchase agreements in place with seven manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccine, including: • Pfizer-BioNTech • Moderna • AstraZeneca • Johnson & Johnson • Novavax • Medicago • Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline Currently, Pfizer and Moderna are the only COVID-19 vaccines approved for use by Health Canada. They are both messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) vaccines, also called mRNA vaccines. These types of vaccines instruct cells to make proteins, leading to the development of antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus. • Pfizer and Moderna are 95 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19. • Two doses of the vaccines are required for the highest effectiveness. Other vaccines that are under development are viral vector-based vaccines. These vaccines use a virus as the delivery system, but it is a harmless virus that does not cause COVID-19. Like all vaccines approved by Health Canada, viral vector-based vaccines are held to high safety and quality standards. Vaccine Supply The Government of Canada has made the commitment that every Canadian who wants to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will have access to a vaccine by September 2021. To meet that deadline, the federal government originally announced that it had secured six million doses of the vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna combined) for the first quarter of 2021. Those doses would then be allocated to the provinces and territories. 6 Of that supply, Saskatchewan was expecting to receive 191,300 doses of vaccine by the end of March 2021. This allocation was broken down accordingly: • 124,800 doses of Pfizer vaccine. • 66,500 doses of Moderna vaccine. Beyond the first quarter, future amounts of vaccine to be expected are currently unknown. PHAC has not provided provinces and territories with confirmed allocations beyond the end of March. Vaccine Scarcity In January 2021, Pfizer temporarily slowed production of vaccine at its European manufacturing plant in Belgium in order to allow for expansion of its facilities. As all countries except for the United States rely on this factory for Pfizer vaccine, this slowdown has led to a global shortage. The United States receives its vaccine supplies from a Pfizer factory in Michigan. However, the global shortage is expected to be temporary, as Pfizer has indicated the factory expansion will ultimately lead to increased supplies of its COVID-19 vaccine. In Saskatchewan, the impact of the Pfizer slowdown on first quarter supplies are not yet know, but preliminary reports indicate the shortage could be more than 12,600 doses by the end of March 2021. If these reports are accurate, Saskatchewan will not be able to vaccinate as many of the priority populations – some of the most vulnerable people – as originally planned in the first quarter. In early February, it was announced that there would also be some temporary shortages of the Moderna vaccine as the company ramps up manufacturing at its European facilities. However, Moderna has indicated it fully expects to meet its obligations to the Government of Canada. To date, the impact in Saskatchewan has been minimal, but further reductions are expected later in February. 7 Approach Saskatchewan’s Immunization Delivery Plan is built on a phased approach to providing vaccines to the people of the province. It is based on ensuring the highest priority people – and those most at risk – receive access to the vaccine first. Given the current shortage of COVID-19 vaccine in Canada and around the world, a phased approach helps ensure the people who need it most receive it first. Pfizer Pilot Prior to the beginning of the first phase of the Immunization Delivery Plan, Saskatchewan was among the provinces and territories to participate in a pilot project for the Pfizer vaccine. Due to the unique characteristics of this particular vaccine (limited ability to move initially and need to store at – 80 C), the pilot project was held to allow health officials to better understand the shipping, delivery, storage and handling requirements of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning December 15, 2020, vaccine was administered to 1,950 health care workers at Regina General Hospital. Individuals participating in the pilot project were those providing direct care to COVID-19 patients, including those in intensive care units, 8 emergency departments, COVID units at the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals, COVID-19 testing and assessment centres and select Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Emergency Medical Services and long-term care facility staff. Phase 1 The first phase of the COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan focuses on immunizing priority populations who are at a higher risk of serious illness or death, as well as exposure to the virus. The priority populations in Saskatchewan include: • Long-term care and personal care home residents and staff. • Health care workers in emergency departments; intensive care units; COVID-19 wards; COVID testing and assessment staff; respiratory therapists; code blue and trauma teams; and EMS, road and air transport teams. • Residents 70 years and older in all communities. • Residents over the age of 50 living in remote, northern communities. The prioritization in Phase 1 aligns with guidance provided by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer reviews these guidelines and together with the province’s COVID-19 Immunization Planning Oversight Committee modified the guidance for Saskatchewan’s demographics and logistical requirements. Saskatchewan’s priority populations include approximately 190,000 people. Based on information provided by PHAC, the combined quantities of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines expected by the end of March 2021 will allow less than half of Saskatchewan’s Phase 1 priority populations to receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Phase 2 Saskatchewan’s Immunization Delivery Plan is built on the foundation of age and risk factors. For COVID-19, the highest risk factor for more serious disease and poor outcomes, including death, is age. People of advanced age are also more likely to be clinically extremely vulnerable or living with other chronic conditions. In Saskatchewan, the higher age groups account for the vast majority of deaths due to COVID-19. As of Feb. 5, there were: Age Groups Deaths 80 and over 175 60-79 118 40-59 27 20-39 12 9 Hospitalizations show a similar trend. In adults 80 and over, the percentage of COVID￾19 cases that were hospitalized was 24.4 per cent, compared with 12.7 per cent for those over 60 years of ages and 4.1 per cent for people in the 40-59 age group. With this overwhelming evidence, Phase 2 is focused on vaccinating the general population by age. Focusing on age as a primary risk factor will enable Saskatchewan residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a more efficient and timely manner. Once vaccine supplies allow Phase 1 priority populations to be fully immunized, Saskatchewan will begin vaccinating the general population in the following 10-year increments. Age Groups 60-69 50-59 40-49 30-39 16 (Pfizer) /18 (Moderna) – 29 Far North West 2,630 3,468 3,343 4,022 5,582 Far North East 1,733 2,371 2,635 3,335 4,854 Far North Central 131 259 321 457 676 North West 9,307 9,566 9,977 12,344 13,375 North East 5,526 5,250 4,658 4,752 6,159 North Central 10,227 10,660 9,983 11,914 14,613 Saskatoon 34,908 40,503 45,485 57,570 53,951 Central West 5,479 4,696 4,171 4,848 5,360 Central East 13,956 12,939 11,255 11,782 13,885 South Central 8,578 7,814 7,258 8,107 8,907 South West 5,446 5,132 4,478 5,109 5,802 South East 11,360 11,350 10,922 12,377 13,124 Regina 29,191 33,461 37,415 46,675 43,752 Totals 138,472 people 60-69 147,469 people 50-59 151,901 people 40-49 183,292 people 30-39 190,043 people 18-29 Using a high-range supply scenario provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan is able to estimate the completion of each age group’s first and second doses (if second doses are required, pending regulatory approval of one dose vaccines). Vaccine planning has focused on using the high range supply scenario, ensuring that Saskatchewan will be operationally prepared for the highest possible allocation of doses and speed of administration. If supply scenarios are lower, the speed of delivery will slow in conjunction with supplies received. Under the high-range scenario, vaccine supplies would be exhausted by the fourth week of June. If adequate supplies were received, mass vaccinations could be completed by the fourth week of July, with different age groups receiving their first and second doses concurrently. For example, with adequate supplies of vaccine, people in the 60-69 age group will receive their second doses the same week the 50-59 group begins first doses. 10 In order to vaccinate specific age groups across the province simultaneously, allocation schedules will be developed according to the confirmed vaccine supply to ensure that each community receives enough vaccine to complete the targeted age group in the defined timeframe. No zone will receive more vaccine than that age group is expected to use during that period. This will ensure the entire province completes vaccination of age groups at approximately the same time, reducing the risk of unnecessary travel to be vaccinated. Vaccinating by age group is the most rapid and efficient way to deliver immunizations, while also capturing vulnerable individuals within that age range. It also allows the province to more quickly launch mass immunization clinics, which will more rapidly reach vulnerable individuals in lower age categories. In contrast, vaccinations targeted to specific conditions or populations is much more complex and significantly slows down the ability to reach all residents as quickly as possible. This approach also carries the added risk of potentially missing some vulnerable groups. At the same time that the 60-69 population is being immunized, people in emergency shelters and adults and staff in group homes for persons with intellectual disabilities will be vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. According to the Ministry of Social Services, 9,000 residents and staff work or live/temporarily live in shelters and group homes for persons with intellectual disabilities. People with underlying health conditions that are clinically extremely vulnerable include: • Solid organ transplant recipients. • People with specific cancers: o People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy. o People with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy. o People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment. o People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer. o People having other targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors. o People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last six months or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs. • People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). • People with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), homozygous sickle cell disease). • People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection (biologic modifiers, high dose steroids, AZT, cyclophosphamide). • People who had their spleen removed. • Adults with very significant developmental disabilities that increase risk. 11 • Adults on dialysis or with chronic kidney disease (stage 5). • Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired. • Significant neuromuscular conditions requiring respiratory support. As always, Saskatchewan will continue to collaborate closely with Indigenous partners to allocate and administer vaccines to First Nations and Métis communities. 12 Accessibility Accessibility of vaccine clinics for the people of Saskatchewan is a cornerstone of the COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan. People will have options on where, when and how they want to be immunized. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will offer 226 vaccine clinics in 181 communities around the province, not including clinics that will be established in First Nations communities or community options such as pharmacies. A combination of large and targeted clinics will also be used to reach vulnerable populations. With a service delivery model focused on delivering vaccine to the people of Saskatchewan where they live, work and gather, there are many clinic options available, including: • Mass immunization clinics • Drive-thru clinics • Mobile clinics • Community clinics (e.g. pharmacies) Saskatchewan COVID-19 Clinics Mass immunization clinics 141 Drive-thru clinics 24 Mobile clinics 61 Total clinics 226 Through these clinics, there will be options available for scheduled and unscheduled vaccination appointments. Clinic volumes will be continuously monitored by location and type, and adjustments will be made to service delivery options to ensure that community-specific needs are met. In addition to which clinic to attend, Saskatchewan residents will also have the option of where to receive it. Although it will be available in home communities as much as possible, there will be no boundaries on where residents can be vaccinated during Phase 2. Mass Immunization Clinics There will be 141 mass immunization clinics offered in 138 communities. These clinics will be generally operated on an appointment basis, particularly in the early stages of Phase 2. The size of mass immunization clinics will vary according to community size. 13 People will schedule an appointment and arrive at a designated time, where they will be pre-screened prior to entering the facility. Measures will be in place to monitor physical distancing requirements and direct people to the next available immunization station. Seating will be provided for those requiring it. After immunization, people will be required to wait in a designated, physically distanced seating area for a minimum of 15 minutes before leaving. Trained staff will monitor to ensure there are no adverse effects. Drive-Thru Clinics There will be 24 drive-thru immunization clinics offered in 21 communities across the province. No appointments will be required for these clinics. Drive-thru clinics will use separate entry and exit areas, where immunizers will deliver vaccinations from outside the vehicles. During pre-screening and immunization, people must remain in their vehicles and wait a minimum of 15 minutes post-immunization to ensure there are no adverse effects. There will be designated space for people to be monitored following their immunizations. Trained staff will move among the parked cars checking on people. Mobile Clinics There will be 61 mobile clinics operating in 58 communities to ensure vaccine access for people in more rural or remote areas. Mobile immunization clinics will travel to communities and other designed areas, where patients will be pre-screened. Immunization stations will be set up a minimum of two metres apart. Measures will be in place to monitor physical distancing requirements, and will direct people to the next available immunization station. Seating will be provided for those requiring it. After immunization, people will be moved to a designated area where they will be required to wait 15 minutes before leaving to ensure no adverse effects. Community Clinics Beyond clinics conducted directly by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, clinics at community pharmacies will be the other primary means of administering COVID-19 vaccine to the people of the province. There are approximately 410 pharmacies in nearly 130 communities in Saskatchewan. This does not include the 11 pharmacies in Lloydminster, where Saskatchewan is responsible for administering vaccine to the entire city. During the 2021 flu season, 385 pharmacies in 113 different communities participated in the influenza immunization program. 14 The Government of Saskatchewan has reached an agreement with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan on the details surrounding the administration of COVID-19 vaccine by pharmacists in the province. With that agreement finalized, plans are in place to follow the successful flu immunization model to administer COVID-19 vaccine, increasing immunization capacity in the province and allowing more Saskatchewan residents to be immunized closer to home. Clinic Locations With 226 clinics operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority in 181 communities around the province, Saskatchewan residents will have plenty of access to COVID-19 immunization clinics. This is in addition to the hundreds of community pharmacies that are expected to administer COVID-19 vaccines. The SHA clinics will be spread throughout Saskatchewan. COVID-19 clinic locations have been selected to ensure people throughout the province have access to a clinic in their communities or a nearby location. Beyond that, efforts have been made to distribute different types of clinics throughout the province. Once warmer weather arrives, seasonal clinics, such as outdoor drive-thrus, can be established as demand requires to allow for additional clinics in more communities. In rural and remote areas, the location of clinics is intended to minimize travel and bring vaccines closer to people. Mobile clinics are being utilized to administer vaccine to people in harder-to-reach locations, including vulnerable populations. In larger urban areas with multiple clinics operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, clinics will be spread out to achieve as much distribution across the city as possible. However, where necessary, locations may use larger facilities to take advantage of economies of scale. In the far north, the Athabasca Health Authority will continue to administer vaccine in Stony Rapids, Uranium City, Fond du Lac and Black Lake. North Mass immunization clinics 48 Drive-thru clinics 6 Mobile clinics 8 Total clinics 62 Far North Mass immunization clinics 19 Drive-thru clinics 2 Mobile clinics 6 Total clinics 27 15 16 Central Mass immunization clinics 42 Drive-thru clinics 6 Mobile clinics 7 Total clinics 55 South Mass immunization clinics 28 Drive-thru clinics 3 Mobile clinics 22 Total clinics 53 17 Saskatoon Area Mass immunization clinics 2 Drive-thru clinics 4 Mobile clinics 8 Total clinics 14 18 Regina Area Mass immunization clinics 2 Drive-thru clinics 3 Mobile clinics 10 Total clinics 15 19 Hours of Operation The tentative hours of operation for clinics are: • Regina, Saskatoon: o Drive-thrus and mass immunization clinics: 7 days per week, 16 hours per day. • All other Saskatchewan cities: o Drive-thrus and mass immunization clinics: 12 hours per day, Monday-Friday; 8 hours per day, Saturday and Sunday. The days and hours of operation may vary across the province depending on the size of communities and the availability of vaccine. Booking an Appointment In Phase 1 of the Saskatchewan COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan, communication with priority populations will take place in a targeted and localized manner due to the limited supplies of vaccine. When supplies allow immunizations to take place for people over the age of 70 living in the community, communication will take place in the following ways to let them know it is time to book an appointment: • Public service announcements (targeted to news media in specific areas). • Area-specific social media posts (note: Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic on social media). • Seniors publications (e.g. Grey Matters, The Senior Paper, Sask Seniors Living Newspaper) • Partnership through Saskatchewan Senior’s Mechanism, Forever…In Motion, etc. • Direct mail out. In some cases, direct contact with seniors may occur (e.g. home care lists). This will be used in instances where the supply of vaccines is limited in order to align capacity with demand. In Phase 2, there will be more options available for people to book an appointment for vaccination. People can chose to book both appointments, or just their first appointment or second appointment. Booking both appointments together decreases the risk of first and second appointments being scheduled at clinics with different vaccines (e.g. Moderna vs. Pfizer). Book an Appointment Online The Saskatchewan Health Authority will utilize an online scheduling system to facilitate the booking process through the Government of Saskatchewan website at www.saskatchewan.ca. The system will allow people to: • Access a secure booking website from their smart device or computer. • Book appointments for themselves and/or family members. • Select clinics on a map or by a list of available clinics (geo-locate). 20 • Select clinics based on vaccine types. • Select an appointment at a specific clinic or select a preferred time for immunization. • Choose to go on a waiting list for appointments on short notice. The automated system will also include screening questions to assist with eligibility (i.e. proper age cohort.). The system will go live in March 2021. Call for an Appointment For those who do not wish to book an appointment online, they can also call to schedule an immunization through the provincial vaccine scheduling office. • This option will also be used to book appointments for health care workers or other priority populations. • People will call 811 and select the vaccine scheduling office when directed. • Callers will receive a live scheduling clerk who will walk through the screening process and book an appointment. 21 Keeping People Informed Communication is a core element of the Saskatchewan COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan. Information will be shared extensively across the province to let people know: • When it is their turn to be vaccinated. • How to register for a vaccine appointment. • Where to find the closest clinics to them. • The different types of immunization clinics available. All clinic and registration information will be available on the Government of Saskatchewan website at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-vaccine. Public advertising will take place across a number of platforms, including print, digital and mainstream news media. In addition to advertising, information will also be available through: • Social media • Local publications • Posters • Direct mail • News conferences Misinformation/Disinformation Security Advertising in Saskatchewan will reflect strong branding and clear messaging at all times. By building on the existing materials available from the Public Health Agency of Canada, vaccine hesitancy and myth-busting will address misinformation plainly and factually. Saskatchewan will leverage regular town hall opportunities to relay important information and resources to internal and external partners, building a strong network of consistent messages that emphasize the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. 22 Engagement and Oversight Engagement is an important element of Saskatchewan’s Immunization Delivery Plan. Understanding the needs and insights of different partners and stakeholder groups is helping inform the decisions that are made when rolling out the plan. To help understand their needs, the Government of Saskatchewan regularly meets with a wide array of stakeholders and partners, including the following groups on a weekly basis: • Prince Albert Grand Council • Meadow Lake Tribal Council • Mayors from northern Saskatchewan • Mayors from Saskatchewan’s cities, in addition to representatives from: o Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association o Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities o New North – Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities In addition to these meetings, regular contact is also made with Government of Saskatchewan ministries – as well as provincial associations and organizations lobbying on behalf of their members – to better understand the needs and concerns of the people and groups they represent. COVID-19 Immunization Planning Committees A multi-stakeholder and multi-level planning committee structure has been established to provide oversight and organization to Saskatchewan’s Immunization and Delivery Plan. Each level of the committee structure has a specific purpose and level of accountability. The committee structure consists of: 23 • COVID-19 Immunization Planning Oversight Committee • COVID-19 Immunization Planning Clinical Expert Advisory Committee • COVID-19 Immunization Planning Indigenous Advisory Committee • COVID-19 Immunization Planning Municipal Advisory Committee • COVID-19 Immunization Planning Working Group o Distribution and Logistics Task Team o Documentation, Reporting and Statistics Task Team o Adverse Events Following Immunization Task Team o Human Resourcing Task Team COVID-19 Immunization Planning Oversight Committee • Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health • Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health • Executive Director, Communications Branch, Ministry of Health • Deputy Minister, Government Relations • President, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency • Chief Executive Officer, Saskatchewan Health Authority • Vice-President, Infrastructure, Information and Support, Saskatchewan Health Authority • Vice-President Community Engagement and Communications, Saskatchewan Health Authority • Vice-President, Integrated Urban Health and Chief Nursing Officer, Saskatchewan Health Authority • Chief Medical Officer, Saskatchewan Health Authority • Physician Executive, Saskatchewan Health Authority • President and Chief Executive Officer, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency • Regional Executive Officer, Indigenous Services Canada Roles and Responsibilities • Responsible for providing oversight and direction for the COVID-19 immunization program. • Ensuring the necessary resources are in place to successfully manage the logistics associated with the distribution of the vaccine. • Regularly reviewing and monitoring the distribution plan. • Ensuring a fair process is developed and implemented to determine priority considerations for the distribution of vaccine. 24 • Removing any challenges and barriers to the successful implementation of the COVID-19 immunization program. • Provide guidance and feedback to the COVID-19 Immunization Planning Working Group and Task Teams. COVID-19 Immunization Planning Clinical Experts Advisory Committee Representation from the Ministry of Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority and University of Saskatchewan in the following areas: • Integrated Rural Health • Integrated Urban Health • Modelling and Evidence Analysis • Public Health/Immunization • Ethics • First Nations and Métis Health • Clinicians • Employee Health • Human Resources Impact • Patient and Family Partner • Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority Roles and Responsibilities • Providing advice and recommendations on the prioritization, sequencing and roll out of COVID-19 vaccines across Saskatchewan. • Ensuring advice and recommendations are made within an ethical framework. • Providing advice and recommendations consistent with patient and family-centred care. • Helping develop decision-making processes to determine priority populations for COVID-19 immunization. • Developing recommendations based on the latest evidence on COVID-19 and immunization research. • Providing advice and recommendations to help remove the barriers to a successful immunization program. 25 COVID-19 Immunization Planning Indigenous Advisory Committee • Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations • Métis Nation-Saskatchewan • Prince Albert Grand Council • Meadow Lake Tribal Council • Saskatoon Tribal Council • File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council • Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan • Northern Inter-tribal Health Authority • Agency Chiefs Tribal Council • Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs • North West Professional Services • Touchwood Agency Tribal Council • Yorkton Tribal Council • White Bear First Nation • Ochapowace First Nation • Onion Lake Cree Nation • Big Island Lake Cree Nation • Fishing Lake First Nation • Beardys and Okemasis Band • Cowessess First Nation • Pheasant Rump Nakota • Thunderchild First Nation • Ministry of Government Relations • Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency • Ministry of Health • Saskatchewan Health Authority • Indigenous Services Canada representative Roles and Responsibilities • Providing advice and insight into unique circumstances that may impact the COVID-19 immunization program for First Nations and Métis people and communities. • Helping inform the planning of logistics for the distribution of vaccine in northern and remote communities, as well as other areas of the province – on and off reserve. 26 • Providing feedback and bringing forward opportunities for improvement on the experiences of First Nations and Métis people and communities during the implementation of the COVID-19 immunization program. • Providing advice and recommendations to help remove the barriers to a successful immunization program for First Nations and Métis people and communities. • Helping inform vaccine-related communications for First Nations and Métis audiences. COVID-19 Immunization Planning Municipal Advisory Committee • Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association • Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities • Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (New North) • Saskatchewan cities • Ministry of Government Relations • Ministry of Health • Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency • Saskatchewan Health Authority Roles and Responsibilities • Providing information and insight on Saskatchewan communities – urban, rural and northern – and the issues impacting them. • Helping inform the planning of logistics for the distribution of vaccine in urban, rural and northern communities. • Providing feedback and bringing forward opportunities for improvement on the experiences of Saskatchewan communities during the implementation of the COVID￾19 immunization program. • Providing advice and recommendations to help remove the barriers to a successful immunization program for Saskatchewan communities. • Helping inform vaccine-related communications in Saskatchewan. Stakeholder Engagement Conversations are underway with private-service medical professionals to gauge interest in participating in the COVID-19 immunization efforts. Preliminary conversations have shown overwhelming interest to contribute resources where possible. Regular conversations with municipal leaders and officials have echoed the sense of enthusiasm to contribute and assist. As more detailed discussions about additional locations, resources and/or logistical input is required, established forums and relationships will be used. There are also a number of offers of assistance from businesses, which will continue to be explored.