SASKATOON — Saskatchewan received a C- grade from the national seniors’ advocacy organization CanAge on Canada’s 2025 Vaccine Report Card. This is better than last year’s F rating, but still highlights the province’s continued gaps in protecting seniors from preventable diseases.
Saskatchewan’s score placed it below the national average, with CanAge calling it a growing “patchwork” of vaccine access across Canada. The non-profit organization’s report noted that 217,401 seniors, or 17.5 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population, live in the province, and more than two-thirds, 67.1 per cent, have multiple chronic conditions, making vaccination access crucial.
CanAge criticized the province for failing to fund shingles and RSV vaccines and for restricting access to the pneumococcal vaccine to those who have never been immunized. The national seniors’ advocacy group, however, praised Saskatchewan for its strong digital health infrastructure, including the MySaskHealthRecord portal, the Panorama registry used by health providers, and its outreach to Indigenous communities.
CanAge CEO Laura Tamblyn Watts said that Saskatchewan’s tracking systems are impressive, but meaningless if seniors cannot afford the vaccines they track, urging the provincial government to “catch up” to others that already fund shingles and RSV vaccines, calling these programs both affordable and essential.
"Every province funding shingles and RSV vaccines proves this is affordable and achievable. Saskatchewan isn't being asked to do something unprecedented. They're being asked to catch up to what their peer provinces already recognize as essential protection. We're seeing a dangerous patchwork emerge across Canada where your ability to stay healthy depends on which province you call home,” said Tamblyn Watts.
“Some jurisdictions are stepping up with comprehensive protection for older adults, whilst others are actually moving backwards – charging fees or cutting funding for vaccines that save lives and preserve independence. This shouldn't be controversial: prevention works, and it's far less expensive than treating preventable diseases," said Tamblyn Watts.
Prince Edward Island topped the report with an A+, setting the national standard for comprehensive adult immunization. Nova Scotia earned an A- after scoring an F last year. New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon are tied for third place with a B+ rating. British Columbia earned a D+, while the Northwest Territories and Nunavut received the lowest grades with an F.
CanAge also reported that Alberta has introduced a $100 administrative fee for COVID-19 vaccines this season. Quebec has already restricted universal access to COVID-19 vaccines and no longer offers them for free since September. Shingles vaccine funding remains inconsistent despite overwhelming evidence of effectiveness.
CanAge uses community engagement, policy influence and public education to improve the lives of seniors. CanAge focuses on issues such as elder abuse, long-term care reform, social inclusion and seniors’ financial security.
The report evaluated all jurisdictions on funding, access and public awareness for six vaccines: influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and, new this year, RSV, COVID-19, and Tdap. This year’s expanded assessment covers three respiratory illness seasons and includes new scoring that better matches today’s immunization landscape.
"The solutions are right in front of us. The high-performing provinces show exactly what works: fund the vaccines that evidence tells us are effective, make them accessible through multiple channels, and communicate clearly with the public. It's not complicated – it just requires political courage to prioritize prevention," said Tamblyn Watts.
