VIDEO: Sask. fall influenza campaign kicks off while flu cases remain low

Saskatchewan’s annual fall immunization campaign launched today, for people six months of age and older to receive their influenza and/or COVID-19 vaccines.

As flu season begins, Saskatchewan Health Authority medical health officer Dr. Vivian Onaemo encouraged people to get their shots as soon as possible.

“My message to people across Saskatchewan today is simple: Don’t wait for respiratory viruses to spread before thinking about protection. Get vaccinated early. Encourage your family and loved ones to do the same and help protect the people around us,” Onaemo said.

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The health officer explained that flu season is beginning and the province is starting to see cases, though the number remains low so far.

Onaemo said the flu season is “a long one,” usually extending from October to April, with peaks and lows.

“At this time, we’re low, which is good,” Onaemo said.

“We monitor the cases that we get, so we have surveillance systems to tell us that, but it’s too early to tell how bad it would be,” she explained.

“Sometimes it gets worse, sometimes it gets better. We do see people get seriously ill with flu and COVID, with hospitalisation and some deaths, as was previously mentioned, so that’s really serious. Everyone in Saskatchewan should get the flu and COVID vaccine – everyone six months and older, so that everyone is protected.”

In 2025, Onaemo said about 20 per cent of the overall population across Saskatchewan received the influenza vaccine, and even fewer received their COVID-19 shot. There was higher uptake among people over the age of 65, however, with about half receiving the influenza shot and 40 per cent getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We do have room for improvement,” the medical health officer noted.

She said access to the vaccines is of significant importance. To address that, the health authority is working to ensure public knowledge of the campaign, offering mass immunization clinics in various Saskatchewan cities, as well as the opportunity for people to be vaccinated at participating pharmacies and doctor or nurse practitioner clinics.

In Saskatoon, Circle Drive Alliance Church will operate over the next three weeks as a mass immunization clinic.

The vaccines are free of charge to all residents six months and older, Onaemo said.

To improve access throughout the province, beyond its major urban centres, the health authority has provided vaccines for public health centres and nursing stations in First Nations communities.

“That’s where we ensure that people have access, and we also have the online platform that they can go to and book appointments,” Onaemo explained.

While there is no clinical benefit to receiving the flu and COVID-19 shots simultaneously, Onaemo said the ease of access to both shots at the same time is also meant to improve the logistics for people who are going to receive their annual vaccines.

“When you come into the clinic, then you can get it rather than have a second trip,” she said. “It’s voluntary, so you can take which one you want, and if you want both, you can have those at the same time.”

Kevin Kapell, provincial director of provincial primary healthcare with the Saskatchewan Health Authority said the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are especially important for people at higher risk of serious illness, including older adults, young children, people with underlying health conditions, pregnant people and those who care for vulnerable people.

Dr. Ibrahim Khan, regional medical health officer with Indigenous Services Canada, said it’s important for people to monitor themselves, their families and the people around them to ensure people are up-to-date on their vaccines.

“We are approaching winter months; that’s where people congregate, come together,” Khan cautioned.

He said several vaccines are available this flu season that are all highly protective, to keep individuals, families and broader communities safe.

“We all have a shared responsibility. That all of us roll up our sleeves, check with our healthcare provider,” Khan said.

As a medical officer, Khan oversees 49 communities in south-central Saskatchewan, around Saskatoon, Fort Qu’Appelle and Kamsack. In addition to information shared by the health authority, Khan said First Nations communities are provided information through nurses, doctors and other health-care providers, as well as town halls and through social media channels online, thanks to First Nations sharing information with their communities.

“Thank you to the healthcare teams, community partners and everyone working across Saskatchewan to ensure this immunization campaign is possible,” Onaemo said. “Together, we can protect our communities and make this a healthier fall and winter for Saskatchewan.”