Our 2nd biggest story of 2021 is the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines began to reshape our economy, our politics and it created a division deeper than this generation has ever seen. However, the vaccines gave many people hope for returning back to normalcy.

Here's what the vaccine roll-out looked like for Saskatchewan and Moose Jaw in 2021.

In January, vaccines were being administered to seniors in the province as they are the most vulnerable to the virus. They were also being given to our frontline healthcare workers. The province began administering the vaccines in the larger cities of Saskatchewan like Regina and Saskatoon. Batches of the vaccines were being shipped to Saskatchewan by the thousands.

By January 31st, over 30,000 vaccines had been administered to people in Saskatchewan.

Moose Jaw received the first batch of vaccines in mid-February. On February 17th, the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered. An appointment-only mass immunization clinic was created in Moose Jaw. People eligible for the vaccine were only front-line healthcare workers and people over the age of 70. Healthcare staff working at the vaccination clinic reached out to people directly to book appointments.

Everyone from Moose Jaw in long-term care, emergency, ICU, medicine, vaccination team, COVID assessment center, and personal care home health care workers that were willing to get the vaccine had all received their first doses by February 24th.

By the end of February, almost 80,000 people in Saskatchewan had their first dose.

By the end of March over 190,000 vaccines were administered across the province. Some people started to receive their second doses as well. In Moose Jaw, anyone aged 60 years or older was now eligible to book their own appointments for their first dose vaccine.

Moose Jaw saw a big ramp-up in vaccinations in April as walk-in and drive-thru vaccination centres started opening up on April 6th. They were open to people 55 years of age or older.

On April 20th, AstraZeneca became approved for anyone over the age of 40. The age eligibility did expand over the following weeks. About a week later, 4 Moose Jaw pharmacies became appointment-only vaccine clinics.

Everyone aged 40 years or older was eligible to get their vaccine by the end of April.

More pharmacy clinics and walk-in and drive-thru sites started opening up in May. By May 17th, Moose Jaw began administering 2nd vaccine doses to seniors. A couple of days later on the 19th, everyone aged 12 years or older became eligible to receive their first dose of the vaccine. On May 31st, 77% of those over the age of 40 had received their first dose. 71% of those 30+ had received their first dose and 66% of those 18+ had received their first dose.

Second doses of the vaccine became available to those 65+ on June 2nd.

By June 26th, Saskatchewan was leading the country in complete COVID-19 vaccinations with 70 % of people over the age of 12 having received their first dose. 36 % of people were completely vaccinated having received both shots. This was the highest percentage reported amongst the 10 provinces.

In July, everyone aged 12 years or older became eligible to receive their second dose of the vaccine after the suggested waiting period from their first dose.

At the end of August, the conversation of booster shots for immunocompromised people started. Not long after that, anyone from a long-term care home or who had a high risk of becoming intensely ill from the virus was able to book a booster shot as of Sept 7th. The eligibility for the booster shot expanded throughout the following months.

Then on September 16th as cases were then averaging at over 400 a day, Moe introduced vaccine passports. Providing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to get into most indoor facilities took effect on October 1st.

On the 19th of November, Canada received good news. Pfizer's pediatric vaccines meant for children between ages 5 and 11 had been approved. 112,000 doses were scheduled to come to Saskatchewan.

In December, the province started witnessing the effects of the Omicron variant. The provincial government decided to expand the eligibility for the booster program to everyone aged 18 years or older on December 20th.

By the end of December, roughly 77% of all residents in Saskatchewan are fully vaccinated which is one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.