COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - September 13, 2021

Volume 31 – Issued September 13, 2021

Getting the First and Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Is Quick and Easy

It is strongly recommended that all individuals born in 2009 or earlier receive the full COVID-19 vaccine series as soon as possible. All individuals who have received their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days ago can now get their second dose. Youth under 18 years of age must receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

For first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, appointments can be booked online, or by calling 705-360-4819 (Timmins) or 1-800-461-1818, or drop-in at any clinic to get vaccinated the same day. Appointments are required for all second COVID-19 vaccine doses. Visit the PHU vaccine webpage to find out when upcoming clinics are scheduled.

News Highlights:

COVID-19 Vaccine Numbers:

Vaccine doses given at PHU mass immunization clinics: 96,653.
Number of people vaccinated with at least 1 dose of vaccine in the PHU area: 51,433.
81.3% of individuals 12 years of age and older in the PHU area have received at least one dose of vaccine.
72.4% of individuals 12 years of age and older in the PHU area have received two doses of vaccine.

COVID-19: NEIGHBOURHOOD MOBILE VACCINE BLITZ IN THE PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT AREA

While most of the residents in the PHU region have been vaccinated, we continue to find more ways to reach those who are not vaccinated. For some, getting to one of our many vaccine clinics may be difficult, which is why we are bringing vaccinations right to your doorstep!

The Porcupine Health Unit, in collaboration with the Cochrane District Emergency Medical Service (EMS), will be visiting several neighbourhoods to offer the COVID-19 vaccines. Residents are welcome to receive their vaccine in our mobile vaccine vehicles, or in private and personal space such as in their own home or on their porch. The Neighbourhood Vaccine Blitz will take place:

September 10 and 11 in Timmins and South Porcupine
September 18 in Kapuskasing
September 19 in Iroquois Falls

Details of the routes can be found on the PHU website.

COVID-19 VACCINES WORK WELL TO PREVENT MOST INFECTIONS, ALTHOUGH BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS ARE STILL EXPECTED

The Delta variant spreads more easily than the original COVID-19 virus and other variants of concern. However, the vaccines work well against the Delta variant, especially in reducing symptoms, preventing severe disease and hospitalization, as well as reducing the spread of the virus to others.

While the majority of cases reported are in unvaccinated individuals, breakthrough infections (with and without symptoms) are expected. Breakthrough infections are cases that develop in fully immunized people (i.e., symptoms start 14 days or more following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine). Breakthrough infections tend to be less severe and are less likely to lead to hospitalization or death than in unvaccinated people. Individuals with asymptomatic breakthrough infections may be less likely to spread infection to others as compared to those with symptomatic breakthrough infections.

PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT COVID-19 INFORMATION LINE

Call with any inquiries about COVID-19. 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.

Timmins: 705-360-4819 Toll free: 1-800-461-1818