REGINA — Just days after the Saskatchewan Health Authority announced its intention to stop operating drive-through and walk-in vaccine clinics, provincial opposition leader Ryan Meili is calling on the Sask Party to adjust its “last mile” strategy to increase uptake in Saskatchewan.
Experts are warning of a potential fourth wave of COVID-19, as cases identified as the Delta variant have now been reported in the province.
According to data from the federal government, 64.26 per cent of people in Saskatchewan have received the first dose of the vaccine, which is below the national average of 69.69 per cent.
Meili said that Saskatchewan’s vaccine rollout has “stalled,” and the provincial government needs to respond with more targeted vaccination efforts, including implementing tailgate vaccine clinics at Saskatchewan Roughrider Games.
“It’s time to get serious about getting past the Last Mile and reaching true herd immunity in our province,” said Meili. “It is more important than ever that the vaccine roll-out be targeted, aggressive and effective.”
A number of tickets remain available for the season opener on Aug. 6, which will be the first Rider game played in Regina since 2019.
Mosaic Stadium is not currently requiring ticket holders to have received the vaccine in order to attend Rider games, despite still ongoing outcry from some ticket holders to do so. Premier Scott Moe has also stated that Saskatchewan will not be implementing a vaccine passport required at large public venues like Mosaic Stadium, like some other provinces.
Meili pointed to a recent employee draw for game tickets from the SHA, which was limited to fully-vaccinated staff only, as undermining the province’s current approach to encouraging vaccination.
“We believe that Rider games should be COVID-free, and it’s clear that the SHA agrees with us. Not only that, it is clear that fans agree with us,” said Meili. “In the absence of that certainty for Rider fans, the government must at least ensure that everyone who attends a Rider game has the opportunity to be vaccinated.”
Meili is also calling on the provincial government to work more closely with communities currently hard-hit with COVID-19 outbreaks, like Buffalo River Dene Nation, and to reverse the decision to discontinue appointment booking for clinics.
He is also pressuring the Sask Party to increase the call program reaching out to unvaccinated individuals with appointments, and to expand eligibility to include anyone born in 2009.
