General Information

  • COVID-19 vaccines contain one strain, XBB.1.5.
  • As of July 1, 2024, COVID-19 vaccines are only available in Saskatchewan through public health sites. Pharmacies need to destroy all COVID-19 vaccines, report on the Product Wastage Report Form, and update the Vaccine Distribution Tracking System.
  • Until further notice, the following are eligible for COVID-19 XBB.1.5 doses:
    • Unvaccinated children 6 months to < 5 years of age who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.  (See below for definition.)
    • Transplant recipients including solid-organ, islet cell, hematopoietic stem cell, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. See Vulnerable Populations for more details. 
    • Children who started an XBB.1.5 vaccine series prior to the age of 5 years but did not complete before July 1, 2024 (regardless of immune status).
    • Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals of any age who started an XBB.1.5  vaccine series but did not complete before July 1, 2024. (See below for definition.)
    • All other individuals are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccine doses, until further notice.

Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines Available in Saskatchewan

See the Saskatchewan Immunization Manual, Chapter 10 Biologic Products for details about the vaccines.

Vaccine NamePlatformApproved Ages
Moderna Spikevax® XBB.1.5mRNA≥ 6 months
Novavax Nuvaxovid™ XBB.1.5protein subunit≥ 12 years
Pfizer Comirnaty® Omicron XBB.1.5mRNA≥ 6 months to < 5 years
≥ 5 years to < 12 years
≥ 12 years


Vulnerable Populations

Definition of Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised

  • Immunocompromised due to solid tumour or hematologic malignancies or treatments of these conditions
  • Recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
    • Additional considerations apply to candidates and recipients of solid organ transplants. See Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Solid Organ Transplant below.
  • Recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppressive therapy)
    • Additional considerations apply to candidates and recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). See Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Solid Organ Transplant below.
  • Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy targeting lymphocytes  
  • Moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency with associated humoral and/or cell-mediated immunodeficiency or immune dysregulation
  • HIV with prior AIDS defining illness or TB diagnosis in last 12 months before starting vaccine series, or severe immune compromised with CD4 < 200/µL or CD4% < 15%, or without HIV viral suppression 
  • Recipients of active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies:
    • anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22)
    • high-dose systemic corticosteroids (prednisone equivalent of ≥ 2 mg/kg/day or 20 mg/day if weight > 10 kg, for ≥ 14 days)
    • alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive 
    • see list of immunosuppressive medications
  • Individuals with chronic kidney disease on dialysis

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Solid Organ Transplant

  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplant and solid organ transplant recipients are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised and there are specific recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine schedules and timing. 
    • There are also some recommendations for transplant candidates.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) 

  • HSCT recipients MUST speak to their cancer care team / specialist. 
    • Pre-transplant
      • If feasible, XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine series should be administered at least 4 weeks prior to starting conditioning regimen.
    • Post-transplant
      • Postpone vaccination in severe, uncontrolled acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), grade 3-4. 
      • For previously immunized or unimmunized HSCT recipients, vaccination with XBB.1.5 can be initiated 4 months after HSCT (3 months post-autologous transplant for patients who will be started on maintenance therapy post-transplant).
      • Vaccinated HSCT recipients should receive a booster dose 3 months after their previous vaccine dose.
      • HSCT recipients with previous COVID-19 infection should defer vaccination for 3 months post-infection.
      • The HSCT Program will provide a letter to recipients to take into their immunizer when they are eligible to start their COVID-19 vaccination series with schedule to return in 4 weeks, 8 weeks, then 3 months for booster.

Solid Organ Transplant (SOT)

  • Medically stable SOT recipients followed up by the Saskatchewan Transplant Program DO NOT NEED to consult their specialist prior to immunization with COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Pre-transplant
    • Unvaccinated SOT candidates should receive 3 doses (using min. 4-week intervals)) of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as a primary series, with the final dose given 1-2 weeks prior to transplantation whenever possible. If indicated, an additional dose given 3 months after the last vaccine dose may be recommended by the Transplant Program.
  • Post-transplant
    • Unvaccinated SOT recipients should receive 3 doses (using min. 4-week intervals) of mRNA vaccine as a primary series. If indicated, an additional dose given 3 months after the last vaccine dose may be recommended by the Transplant Program.
    • Vaccinated SOT recipients should receive an additional dose given 3 months after their previous vaccine dose as recommended by the Transplant Program.
    • All SOT recipients should wait at least 1 month post-transplant to continue vaccine series, regardless of induction therapy.
    • SOT recipients undergoing active treatment for acute rejection should defer vaccination for 1 month.
    • SOT recipients who have received rituximab should defer vaccination for at least 3 months.
    • SOT recipients with previous COVID-19 infection should defer vaccination for 3 months post-infection.
  • The Saskatchewan Transplant Program will provide a letter for recipients to take into their immunizer when they are eligible for their first dose and it will specify that the recipient return for a second dose 3 months later.

General References

Last updated: 01 July 2024