Vaccination rates in the Far North are much lower than the rest of Saskatchewan. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

falling behind

NDP calling for provincial support to boost vaccine uptake in Far North

Jul 7, 2021 | 5:03 PM

Saskatchewan’s NDP are calling for more supports in the Far North after a recent COVID-19 outbreak.

“This is a crisis, and this government needs to act,” said Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette in a press release issued Wednesday. “Long-standing housing and infrastructure shortages in the community are making the problem worse. Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA), Indigenous leaders and the frontline workers have been doing what they can with the resources they have but this Premier and his health minister need to stop sitting on their hands and do something.”

There are more than 100 active COVID-19 cases in Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation, whereas last week there were few than 10. During the last couple of months, vaccine uptake has been lagging behind the rest of the province, despite efforts by frontline healthcare staff.

The Prince Albert Grand Council has asked both federal and provincial governments to immediately address the crisis.

“What’s concerning is we’re hearing over 20 per cent of the cases are variants of concern, possibly the Delta variant, which we know spreads far quicker than other variants,” said MLA Vicki Mowat. “We need to do everything we can to get the resources and supports needed to this community and begin to implement a Last Mile Strategy to address the lagging vaccination rates in the North.”

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The NDP is calling for deployment of mobile vaccination teams to vaccinate those who have yet to be vaccinated, cooperation with local leadership to increase vaccinations rates and address the looming crisis around lack of patient isolation space and the potential need for ventilators and medical evacuation.

The NDP would like to see NITHA provided with rapid-testing capacity to fully understand the scope of the crisis, secure funding for the expansion of the Hatchet Lake Health Center and work long-term on addressing overcrowding and housing shortages within the community.

In an email from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to larongeNOW in June, it was stated vaccines clinics have been offered in Northern Saskatchewan for months. That has included booked appointments and other formats to reach as many people as possible.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

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NDP calling for provincial support to boost vaccine uptake in Far North

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