There are approximately 8,000 people living in the tri-communities region. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

provincial health

‘Does not add up’: Northern leaders demand answers regarding vaccine rollout plan

Jan 4, 2021 | 4:29 PM

A letter signed by two northern mayors and a First Nations chief is demanding answers from the provincial government as to why the Far North East was skipped in this week’s vaccine rollout.

In the letter addressed to Minister of Health Paul Merriman, Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk, La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak and Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson outlined three main concerns. The leaders would like clarification for the rationale for decisions made regarding vaccine allocations in the Far North Region and why local medical health officers were not consulted in the decision-making process.

The letter also asks when the Moderna vaccine is expected to be available to the residents in the Far North East.

“We’re just demanding answers to that because a lot of times these decisions are being made by people down in the south,” Ratushniak said. “We just want to know why. We think it’s necessary to put a little bit of pressure because, if we’re not heard from, then we’re often forgotten. That’s just not how we’re going to play.”

This week, Pfizer vaccinations began in Prince Albert with Moderna vaccinations starting in the Far North West and Far North Central zones. Health care staff, as well as long-term care and personal care home residents are eligible for the first dose of the innoculation.

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A major reason the three leaders would like residents in the zone to have access to the vaccine is because of the high number of active cases. As of Jan. 4, there are 341 active cases in the Far North East, 154 in Far North West and 17 in Far North Central.

Ratushniak believes La Ronge should have been included in the rollout because the town serves as a base to residents throughout northern Saskatchewan. He said many communities also receive Air Ambulance services via La Ronge and professionals like frontline workers should have access to the vaccine to prevent a reduction in health services.

“We absolutely appreciate the fact these are very complex rollouts that need to happen and complex decisions that need to be made, but it just seems very strange and something does not add up,” Ratushniak said.

According to the Saskatchewan COVID-19 Vaccination Update released Dec. 30, 4,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine has arrived in the province and the allotment will be used in Far North Central and Far North West. Long-term care residents and staff, personal care home residents and staff, as well as health care workers assigned to COVID-19 wards, testing and assessment centres are eligible.

“We would think with limited facilities in the North, the 4,900 vaccines would sufficiently cover these priority categories for all three regions in the Far North,” Chief Cook-Searson said. “We are hopeful they will change their plan and prioritize in the Far North East also. We want to be part of the first allotment of the Moderna vaccine. We have a priority population that needs that vaccine today.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno