(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Vaccines in school

Vaccination program gets underway Thursday in Horizon School Division

May 31, 2021 | 3:00 PM

The Saskatchewan school-based vaccination program will begin this week for students in the Horizon School Division.

Locations are currently still being determined for clinics to ensure all families have access to vaccines according to Kevin Garinger, Director of Education.

“The Saskatchewan Health Authority is driving the vaccine rollout across the province, and we are working with them to facilitate locations and how the rollout can happen,” Garinger said.

There is a confirmed clinic this Thursday at the Humboldt Uniplex for Humboldt Collegiate Institute students.

Consent forms have been sent home with students and will be collected at each school within the HSD to give to the Health Authority.

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“That is the extent of our responsibility outside of figuring out how we will ensure that families who wish to have their children vaccinated can have that happen in a location that makes sense,” Garinger said.

The HSD has been working alongside the SHA to plan clinics for the past few weeks and that work is ongoing.

“Most of the vaccinations are happening outside of Horizon schools but some are going to happen in schools as necessary, depending on what SHA is able to do,” Garinger said. “Some locations don’t have access to a site, so we will make sure those families that wish to have them can have them within their school community.”

Students who are 13 years and older can give mature minor consent, but parental consent is preferred.

“SHA will be in contact with parents if there is no consent that has been provided by the parent,” Garinger said. “The best-case scenario that the SHA looks at is consent from parents.”

Children who are 12 years of age require parental consent to get their vaccine.

“The school division simply is there to try to facilitate the program because it is a massive process to try and undertake,” Garinger said.

Children aged 12 years and older are eligible to get their first shot.

Currently, second dose vaccinations are open to residents 70+ or anyone who received their first dose before March 15, 2021.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser