Province opening up COVID vaccination bookings for 80-plus beginning tomorrow

Beginning Friday, anyone 80 years of age and oldercan make an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The first day of the province's new vaccine booking system went so well forthose 85-plus that the age limit is being lowered, said aSaskatchewan Health Authoritynews release.

By Thursday afternoon, 3,836 people booked an appointment for a jab. Three quarters of the people made their appointments online as opposed to phoning in.

For those that phoned, the averagewait timewas about 126 minutes either on the line, or for those waiting for a call-back.

The phone line saw a total of 4,524 callers, though most calls were from people who were ineligible, wanting to confirm their existing appointment, or those seeking general information for the vaccines.

"Some initial issues identifiedby SaskTel for individuals trying to connect to the phone line; these are being addressed as quickly as possible," the news release said.

For those 80and over the telephone number to call to make an appointment is 1-833-727-5829.

More information on COVID-19, including vaccinations is on the government's website.