COVID-19: Paxlovid Pill Available to Saskatchewan Qualifying Residents from Wednesday | The Canadian News

The government of Saskatchewan has announced that the Pfizer-manufactured Paxlovid pill will be available to qualifying residents from Wednesday.

Saskatchewan has received a limited amount of 900 courses of federal supplies, but more shipments are expected, according to a government statement Tuesday.

Paxlovid, the first oral antiviral pill made to treat COVID-19, has just been approved by Health Canada.

Pills are supposed to be taken twice a day for five days to prevent the virus from multiplying in the body, to help people with lower immunity to COVID-19 overcome the virus and stop progress to hospitalization.

However, there is a set of fitness rules that come with the medication.

Paxlovid is only recommended for adults over 18 years of age. Residents should be symptomatic and be within five days of developing symptoms.

Fitness also requires people to receive a positive PCR or rapid test result for mild to moderate COVID-19.

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Those who want the treatment, according to the government, can have no medical conditions that would make treatment inappropriate. In addition, people must meet the following criteria:

• Immunocompromising, regardless of vaccine status;
• 55 years of age and older and not fully vaccinated; or
• Medical condition that puts the individual at high risk and they are not fully vaccinated.

The government adds that Paxlovid is only given to qualifying patients by referral through HealthLine 811. Residents are asked to call HealthLine 811 for further assessment of suitability if they believe they meet the criteria.

Current inventory has been distributed to select community pharmacies across Saskatchewan. This includes partnering with Indigenous Services Canada to ensure some are available to First Nations and Métis communities.

The provincial government continues to encourage the public to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. past 70,000 vaccine appointments is available through the Saskatchewan Health Authority clinics and a number of pharmacies across the province.

“While Saskatchewan supports new treatments for those most at risk for serious COVID-19 diseases, vaccination remains the best tool available to prevent hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19,” the government statement said.

“Immunization does not offer absolute protection against COVID-19, but improves your body’s defense against the virus. It is safe and effective. ”

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