Saskatoon Tribal Council chief apologizes for AstraZeneca vaccine ‘miscommunication’

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand says he’s sorry for what he says is a “miscommunication” on the STC website.

A notice on the webpage indicates the organization is offering 330 AstraZeneca vaccines daily through a walk-in clinic that started Monday. It says the clinic is open to people 40 years of age and over, along with teachers under the age of 40 who have proof of employment — either a paystub or a letter from the school where they work.

This message that appeared on the Saskatoon Tribal Council webpage incorrectly said teachers under the age of 40 could get the AstraZeneca vaccine at the clinic.

However, Arcand says that’s not correct.

“Teachers are not eligible for AstraZeneca if they’re under 40. There’s been a miscommunication on my part. I’ll own it,” Arcand said Monday.

He says when the STC got the news from Indigenous Services Canada to have another 2,000 vaccinations, he was thrilled about it. Another clinic for booked appointments has been successfully operating since April 6, with Pfizer vaccines being given.

Arcand says the Saskatchewan Health Authority didn’t tell him that AstraZeneca wasn’t approved for those under the age of 40 in Saskatchewan.

“I assumed Pfizer and AstraZeneca were the same,” he said. “It’s my fault. We made a mistake on that.”

Arcand says there are greeters at the doors of SaskTel Centre making sure that everyone who’s walking in to get a vaccine is aware of the qualifications and rules. To his knowledge, no one under the age of 40 has received an AstraZeneca vaccine.

If teachers who are under the age of 40 want to try and book an appointment, they can do so, provided they have proof of their employment.

As of 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, the incorrect notice was still posted on the STC website.