Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics set for west-central Saskatchewan

People can get immunized against two diseases at walk-in vaccination clinics across west-central Saskatchewan. People may also choose to get vaccinated at local pharmacies.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority program against influenza and COVID-19 started last week.

Clinics in Rosetown happen at the youth centre on Ninth Avenue West, north of the curling rink. They happen on Wednesdays and go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 21, 28 and Nov. 4.

Another happens on Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the hospital’s community services division.

Other clinics happen at the Plenty hall on Oct. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m.; the Fisher Lounge in the Kindersley hospital on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dinsmore Community Hall on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Harris New Horizons Hall on Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Prairieland Community Hall in Kerrobert on Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s flu vaccine contains the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like strain, also known as A/Switzerland/6849/2025, IVR-278; the A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like strain, also known as A/Michigan/105/2025, SAN-049A; and the B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025-like strain, also known as B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025, wild type.

Vaccines can’t cause the flu because they don’t contain live viruses, a note on the province’s website about them says.

Temporary reactions may occur after a person receives a shot, it warns. They can include “soreness, warmth, redness or swelling at the injection site and/or limited movement of the immunized arm or leg.” Most symptoms vanish within three days, it says.

Both the Spikevax and Comirnaty vaccines against COVID-19 contain mRNA encoding spike protein derived from the Omicron variant XFG.

Officials especially recommend either one for pregnant women, people 65 years of age or older, those living in long-term and personal care homes, workers in hospitals and clinics, and “people who have health conditions that can increase their risk of severe COVID-19,” an authority webpage says.

Those who’ve had “a serious or anaphylactic reaction to a previous COVID-19 vaccine or any of its ingredients should not be vaccinated until they have been assessed by a physician,” it adds.

Also, people “who are seriously ill, with or without a fever, should delay vaccination until they feel better” and those who’ve recently had COVID-19 “may choose to wait until they are feeling better before getting vaccinated,” the website says.