The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced Monday that as of August 8, drive-thru and appointments booked online or over the phone will be discontinued. In place of that, the SHA will shift its focus to walk-in clinics in a number of different public venues, including summer events, post-secondary campuses, retail locations such as grocery stores, pow wows, provincial parks, and recreation areas, community centres, and more.

This all comes as the COVID-19 Delta variant becomes more prominent across Saskatchewan and the rest of the world.

14,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been shipped to Saskatchewan in the last three days, and while 74 per cent of residents aged 12 and over receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, and 62 per cent fully vaccinated, they believe now is the time to move their focus toward outreach, and targeting those who are under or unvaccinated.

Saskatchewan pharmacies that have been participating in the vaccine rollout will continue to do so by appointment.

"Achieving the highest possible vaccination rate is the best way to prevent COVID-19 transmission," Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman said. "This focused outreach is to further drive first and second dose uptake, meeting residents where they live, work and play and support individuals in their decision to make our province as safe as possible."

"The provincial vaccination program will not stop," Merriman continued. "But all residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the readily available and convenient clinic options available now through August 8. First or second dose, now is the time to stick it to COVID."

The provincial government says they now have enough vaccines to fully immunize 85 per cent of the province's population, including 128,000 Pfizer vaccines available through the SHA and pharmacies which are available for those aged 12-17, or anyone looking to complete their vaccines with a second dose.

"The Saskatchewan Health Authority continues to encourage all residents to be immunized with both doses as soon as they are eligible," Saskatchewan Health Authority, Emergency Operation Centre Vaccine Chief Sheila Anderson said. "As much progress as we've made toward immunizing the province we want to remind people that COVID-19 is still here and we will see cases throughout the summer, especially for unvaccinated individuals."

Any mRNA vaccine can be used as a second dose, as two doses are what's needed for the best protection against COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant.