Sask. pharmacies officially part of COVID vaccination program

Saskatchewan’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine got a boost Monday.

In a media release, the provincial government announced Saskatchewan pharmacists “are formally on board to play a key role in the delivery of the largest mass vaccination campaign in provincial history.”

The government said Feb. 9 that pharmacies would be involved in Phase 2 of the rollout and the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan said Feb. 10 that it was ready to take part.

On Monday, the province revealed it had negotiated a new proprietor agreement with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan that sets the fee for the delivery of COVID vaccines by pharmacists. The agreement also includes increases in prescription dispensing fees and flu vaccine fees.

The deal, which takes effect March 1, is for one year.

“We appreciate that Saskatchewan pharmacists are ready to step up and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in the release. “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.”

According to the government, more details are being worked out, including which pharmacies in the province will do vaccinations.