REGINA — Saskatchewan has expanded eligibility requirements for residents to get a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Starting Monday, those aged 70 and older can get the second booster shot, along with those 50 and older who live in First Nations communities.

The province said there should be four months between third and fourth doses.

Residents of long-term and personal care homes and those with designated health conditions have been eligible for fourth doses since February.

By May, the province said it hopes to offer fourth doses to all residents ages 50 and older.

Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, said last week there has been a resurgence of COVID-19 in the province, and it's expected to last until mid-May or early June before cases start to level off.

He said the province needs to analyze more data before declaring a sixth wave of the pandemic.

Other provinces, including Alberta and Manitoba, announced last week they have also expanded eligibility for fourth vaccine doses.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2022.

The Canadian Press