As Omicron spreads across Canada, Sask. NDP calls for expansion to COVID-19 booster shots
Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili is calling for a plan to expand availability of COVID-19 booster shots for Saskatchewan residents 18 and over as the Omicron variant spreads across the country.
“With this new variant and a fifth wave on the horizon, now is the time to be proactive. The (Saskatchewan Health Authority) has already warned that it's not a matter of if but a matter of when Saskatchewan will go through a fifth wave,” Meili said in a news release.
"This government has so far refused to learn from the previous waves, instead choosing to play politics and pander instead of listening to the advice of experts. We can’t afford to let the Sask. Party get this wrong again.”
The NDP’s demand comes the same day as the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended adults over 50 be offered COVID-19 boosters, while those aged 18 to 49 “may” be offered boosters based on individual risks and where they live.
This updated advice comes after the federal government requested on Tuesday that NACI “quickly” review its guidance on prioritizing COVID-19 booster shots in light of concerns over the Omicron variant.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Canada has reported seven confirmed cases of the Omicron variant and has since banned travel into the country from a host of African nations, including South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt.
The cases were in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.
While it remains unclear just how transmissible and severe infection by the variant B.1.1.529 might be, because Omicron is highly mutated health officials have expressed concerns that it may be more vaccine-resistant.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, provinces and territories are responsible for deciding their vaccine rollout eligibility strategies and whether or not to follow NACI’s recommendations.
According to the Sask. NDP, Thursday night’s physician’s town hall relayed that when it came to a fifth wave, it was not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when.”
The SHA has identified three factors in the scale and timing of the fifth wave:
- the rate of waning immunity
- population behaviour (as it relates to social gatherings and mixing)
- the unknown impact of the Omicron variant.
“We’re just coming out of the deadliest fourth wave in the country. Our healthcare system has still not recovered. There are patients in desperate need of life-saving surgeries and we won’t be able to get through the backlog if Saskatchewan sees skyrocketing hospitalizations, as we did during the last wave,” Meili said.
“Expanding third dose availability is key to keeping the fifth wave under control.”
Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman said Monday that officials in the province are keeping a close watch on developments around Omicron.
Merriman said the best defense against COVID-19 and its variants is to get fully vaccinated.
Currently, health care workers, those who are immunocompromised and people aged 65 and older can get their booster shot. People 50 and older in the Far North and living on First Nations are also eligible.
Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said Wednesday that eligibility could open up for more people in the coming days and weeks.
With files from Rachel Aiello and Ben Cousins.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Security Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.