COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - Porcupine Health Unit
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Along with public health measures, vaccines are an essential tool in our fight against the COVID-19
pandemic. All COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The best COVID-19 vaccine to get is the first one
that you are offered. Side effects from COVID-19 vaccine are similar to other vaccines and include things
like pain at the injection site, feeling tired, feeling feverish, chills, joint and muscle pain, headaches.
These side effects are considered normal after any vaccine and are expected because of our body’s
immune response. The chance of having a serious adverse reaction to any vaccine, including the COVID-
19 vaccine, are very rare. The risk of COVID-19 complications from being infected with COVID-19 far
outweigh the risk of side effects from vaccines.
As of Wednesday, April 15, 2021:
• 18,253 people have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the Porcupine Health Unit
district and 1,128 people have received two doses.
• Across Ontario, there has been a total of 3,528,404 doses administered and 339,491 individuals
are fully vaccinated (i.e., received two dose of the COVID-19 vaccine).
Getting your vaccine is quick and easy. Book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment online, or by calling
705-360-4819 or 1-800-461-1818, as soon as possible once you are eligible to get the vaccine.
Planning
Local planning and collaborations are ongoing with community partners across the Porcupine Health
Unit district as we continue to work through Phase Two of the provincial vaccination plan. Throughout
each step, the local planning committees are tasked with ensuring that local COVID-19 vaccine rollout
continues to be a success while considering local context, adhering to the requirements of Ontario’s
Vaccine Distribution Implementation Plan, and the principles set out in the Ethical framework for COVID-
19 vaccine distribution.
• The health unit is collaborating with primary care and other health care partners to identify and
plan COVID-19 immunization clinics for individuals with highest-risk and high-risk health
conditions as listed in the Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19
Vaccination document.
• Planning is always underway in preparation for successive population groups that will become
eligible for vaccination in coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition throughout each eligible
population group.
The Porcupine Health Unit:
• As part of Phase Two of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, the health unit and local
partners continue to diligently work through the Ontario Government’s Guidance for
Prioritization of Phase 2 populations for COVID-19 Vaccination document to plan mass
immunization clinics across the region.
• As always, the COVID-19 vaccine distribution rollout across the district continues to be
dependent on the vaccine supply.• The health unit will continue to announce clinics in communities across the district for eligible
population groups. As more vaccines are received and additional mass immunization clinics are
scheduled, clinic dates and times will be announced through local media, Facebook and on the
health unit’s website.
• The health unit continues to ensure access to the COVID-19 vaccine for populations included in
Phase One of the provincial vaccination plan.
• Appointments are required for all COVID-19 mass immunization clinics. To view upcoming clinic
dates and to register, visit the COVID-19 vaccination booking system. COVID-19 vaccine
appointments for eligible individuals may also be booked by calling the Porcupine Health Unit at
705-360-4819 or 1-800-461-1818.
• The following documents from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care must be
reviewed before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine:
o COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet
o What you need to know about your COVID-19 vaccine appointment
o COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations
• To date, the COVID-19 vaccines administered at all the Porcupine Health Unit mass
immunization clinics have been the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine will
continue to be used at future mass immunization clinics as well.
• The health unit anticipates that beginning next week, based on vaccine supply received from the
provincial government, the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will also be used at some
of the upcoming mass immunization clinics.
• If you or a loved one are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but are experiencing barriers
to accessing the vaccine clinics and need support, call the health unit at 705-360-4819 or 1-800-
461-1818.
• The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedule can be found under the COVID-19
Vaccine area of the health unit’s website.• The following pharmacies in the Porcupine Health Unit district are currently offering the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 55 years of age an older:
o Wallace Drug Store: 109 6th Avenue Cochrane, ON. Call 705-272-4381 to make an
appointment.
o Rexall: 142 Progress Crescent Kapuskasing, ON. Call 705-337-1777 or visit
www.rexall.ca/covid-19/vaccines to make an appointment.
o Shoppers Drug Mart: 681 Algonquin Boulevard East Unit 5 Timmins, ON. Call 705-264-6511
or visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/covid19 to make an appointment.
• The following primary care team offices in the health unit region are also administering the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and will be contacting eligible clients who are 55 years of age and
older to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments:
o Timmins Academic Family Health Team
o Kapuskasing and Area Family Health Team
Vaccine Rollout & Announcements
On April 9, 2021, Premier Doug Ford received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at an Etobicoke
pharmacy. The provincial government continues to expand pharmacy locations offering the AstraZeneca
COVID-19 vaccine. As of April 11, 2021 there are over 1400 pharmacies across the province providing
vaccinations. Additional pharmacy locations are expected by the end of April 2021. This progress is
critical to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the province as it allows for more adults to receive
protection against COVID-19 sooner. The list of COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine locations is updated as
additional locations become available.
There has been positive uptake of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccinations in adults 55 years of age and
older at pharmacies within the Porcupine Health Unit district. All vaccine doses that have been allocated
to pharmacies in the area have been administered.
A news release was published on April 13, 2021 highlighting that Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy is
targeting high-risk neighbourhoods to protect communities with the highest rates of COVID-19 spread.
Immunization of individuals 18 years of age and older in “hot spot” regions across the province are now
included in the update for Phase Two of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. This addition to
Phase Two of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan will help to slow the spread of COVID-19,
prevent hospitalization, tragic outcomes. A total of 114 neighbourhoods have been identified as “hot
spot” locations and vaccination efforts will target these areas. The province has not identified the
Porcupine Health Unit as a COVID-19 hot spot. The updated projected Phase Two sequencing is as
follows:Vaccine Safety Before vaccines are approved for use in Canada, they must be evaluated by Health Canada. Health Canada reviews the data to assess the benefits and risks of the vaccine. After the review, the vaccine is only approved for use if the benefits outweigh the potential risk. All safety standards have been met for approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. Health Canada oversight of COVID-19 vaccines does not stop at approval. Monitoring of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness will continue now and into the future. These vaccines are safe and effective. Side effects are mild, do not cause health risks, and are similar to other routine vaccines. In clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines, the most commonly reported side effects include pain at the injection site, swelling and redness. Other side effects include things like tiredness, fever, and body chills. These types of reactions are considered normal following vaccination and are expected because of our body’s immune response. These vaccines cannot make you sick or put you at risk of complications of the actual COVID-19 illness. By getting vaccinated you are protecting yourself and the community. Some people may not be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to a contraindication. When the majority of the population gets vaccinated it helps to protect those who can’t. There have been very rare reports of vaccine induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (low platelets and blood clots) possibly linked to the AstraZeneca and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. Health Canada continues to review the most current available scientific data to inform recommendations for these vaccines. This week, Health Canada provided an update on the safety review of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Following a thorough review, Health Canada has determined that rare events of blood clots with low levels of platelets following AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination may be linked to the vaccine. Health Canada has updated the product information to inform Canadians about the possible side effect. Treatment for this potential rare side effect is available. Individuals should seek urgent medical attention if any of the following symptoms develop following vaccination:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Leg swelling
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Neurologic symptoms (e.g. severe and persistent worsening headaches or blurred vision)
• Skin bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin
Health Canada’s review of available evidence did not identify any particular risk factors for this possible
rare side effect. Following Health Canada’s review, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine continues to meet
the strict safety standards. As the risk of blood clots with low platelets remains rare, the benefits of the
vaccine outweigh the potential risks. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) will be
reviewing the data to determine if the current recommendation to only use the vaccine in adults 55
years and older will continue or be modified.
It remains important to note that the risk of blood clots related to natural COVID-19 infection has been
documented.
The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been administered in Canada. In response to the reporting of
rare blood clots following vaccination with the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, health officials are monitoring
the situation closely in other countries to determine if these events are linked to the vaccine or other
factors.
Resources
The Porcupine Health Unit wants to keep you informed about COVID-19 vaccines. Our website now
includes a COVID-19 Vaccine page with more information on approved vaccines, vaccine safety and
other general information.
Our COVID-19 Information lines remain open. Call us with any COVID-19 related questions you have at
705-360-4819 or 1-800-461-1818.
Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
The Porcupine Health Unit continues to recruit staff and volunteers to support COVID-19 vaccination
across the district:
• Visit Employment (porcupinehu.on.ca) to find out about employment opportunities or call 1-
800-461-1818. Individuals who are seeking employment with the health unit should email
information and resume to careers@porcupinehu.on.ca.
• Community partners and independent volunteers are of great value to the rollout of COVID-19
vaccines across the district. Email vaccinesupport@porcupinehu.on.ca with your offer of
support.
Moving forward
The first COVID-19 vaccine you are offered is the best one. All COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective
and the sooner you receive the vaccine the quicker you and the community will be protected against
COVID-19 infection, and the potentially devastating consequences like hospitalization and death.
Whether you have received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or are still waiting to get your
first dose, it is remains essential to continue to carefully follow all the public health measures. This iseven critical with the COVID-19 variants of concern that are now circulating in our communities. There is a small chance that you can still become infected with COVID-19 after being vaccinated. For this reason, it is very important that we continue with public health measures even once vaccinated. Remember to stay home if you are sick, even if your symptoms are mild. Additional Information COVID-19 vaccine safety: Weekly report on adverse effects following immunization - Canada.ca Regulating vaccines for human use in Canada - Canada.ca Vaccine development and approval in Canada - Canada.ca COVID-19: How vaccines are developed (video) - Canada.ca Vaccine Safety (porcupinehu.on.ca) Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine locations (ontario.ca) Ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19: Vaccine rollout - Canada.ca Ontario's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan - Vaccine Implementation Update
You can also read
