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COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - March 25, 2021

Volume 9 – Issued March 25, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin

All COVID-19 vaccines are good and are an essential additional tool to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning about the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccine from reputable sources is important to making the decision to receive the vaccine and best protect your health.  By getting accurate information from trusted sources like the Porcupine Health Unit and governments, you can feel confident the information is reliable and unbiased as it is based on science and facts.

Planning

  • The Porcupine Health Unit continues to lead the COVID-19 vaccination program in collaboration with community partners across the district.
  • All decision making and planning for COVID-19 immunization continues in accordance with Ontario’s Vaccine Distribution Implementation Plan as well as the principles set out in the Ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
  • These collaborations have been vital to the success of COVID-19 vaccine distribution thus far as it has ensured that as vaccines arrive, immunizations can begin right away for eligible population groups.
  • Planning is always ongoing in preparation for subsequent population groups that will become eligible for vaccination in coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition throughout each phase of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

The Porcupine Health Unit

  • Before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine individuals must have reviewed the information in these documents from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care:
    • What you need to know about your COVID-19 vaccine appointment is a resource that provides some basic information on how to prepare for your appointment and what to expect when you arrive. In addition, there is a list of what to bring with you to your appointment and information about the COVID-19 vaccine such as side effects, how the vaccine is given, and what to expect after you receive the vaccine.
    • Individuals who have allergies, are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an autoimmune condition or are immunocompromised should refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations document for additional considerations and/or requirements prior to receiving the vaccine.
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet document has information related to COVID-19 as well as the COVID-19 vaccines. Included is information about who can receive the vaccine, when vaccination should be delayed, what ingredients are in the vaccines, side effects, when to call your healthcare provider as well as when to return for a second dose of the vaccine.
  • The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedule can be found under the COVID-19 Vaccine area of the health unit’s website.
  • Appointments will be required for all COVID-19 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 1-800- 461-1818.
  • As of March 21, 2021, over 7000 COVID-19 vaccines were administered across the Porcupine Health Unit region. Phase One of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan is well underway throughout the health unit district:

 

 

 

Phase 1 Vaccine Plan

 

 

 

Mar 22 - 28

Mar 29 - Apr 4

Apr 5 - 18

Staff and essential caregivers of long-term care homes, retirement homes and First Nations elder care

X

X

 

Health care workers

X

X

 

Adult chronic home care recipients

X

X

 

Adults 80 years and older

X

X

 

Adults who identify as First Nation, Métis or Inuit who are 18 years or older

X

X

X

Adults 75 years and older                

 

X

X

This immunization schedule depends on vaccine supply
  • As the PHU continues to ensure access to vaccination for individuals included in Phase 1 of the provincial vaccination plan, clinics will begin for some of the primary priority groups in phase 2.
  • The health unit will follow the Ontario Government’s Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 populations for COVID-19 Vaccination to plan for vaccine clinics across the region.
  • COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout the district will continue to be announced through local media, on Facebook and on the health unit’s website as more vaccines doses are received. 

Vaccine Rollout & Announcements

On March 19, 2021, the provincial government issued a news release advising the public that the COVID-19 vaccine booking system will be expanding on March 22, 2021 to include individuals 75 years of age and older. While this expansion in vaccine distribution was possible in many locations throughout the province, it did not reflect the reality of the Porcupine Health Unit region as well as several other public health units in the province. Vaccines for individuals 75 years and older in the Porcupine Health Unit area is scheduled to begin the week of March 29, 2021. The factors that contributed to this delay included: our region only beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccine shipments up to 7 weeks after other areas in the province, as well, there were reductions in vaccine supplies received and delayed shipments.

In this same news release, the provincial government announced expansion of COVID-19 vaccine administration at pharmacies, with an additional 350 pharmacies expected to begin immunizing in the next couple of weeks. By the end of April, about 1500 pharmacies will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, there are not any pharmacies locally who are administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The provincial government is expected to make additional announcements soon with details on additional locations. Vaccine administration is some primary care settings are also occurring in some regions of the province, although this is not occurring locally.

On March 23, the province announced additional support and funding for transportation to COVID-19 vaccine sites for older adults and those with disabilities. This is an important initiative that will provide much needed help for those who do not have accessible means of transportation, which will remove a significant barrier that some face to be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Additional information on this program is expected soon. If you are your loved one is need of this support please contact the health unit at 1-800-461-1818.

Exceptions to Extended COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Intervals

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released the Extension of the Second Dose Interval immunization document on March 19, 2021 which provides an overview of the rationale behind the decision to extend the interval between dose 1 and 2 of COVID-19 vaccines. Here is what you should know:

The recommendation to extend COVID-19 vaccine dose intervals will maximize the number of people who will benefit from vaccine protection.

  • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is now recommending an extended interval between doses for COVID-19 vaccines (up to 4 months) in the context of the current limited COVID-19 vaccine supply.
  • This updated recommendation will allow access to COVID-19 vaccine sooner and provide protection to more adults across Canada.
  • Real-world evidence indicates that there is still high effectiveness several weeks after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection and hospitalization.
  • Effectiveness after two doses (for vaccines requiring a second dose) is higher than with the first dose, therefore, it remains important to still receive the second dose of vaccine.
  • An extended interval would allow Canada to provide 80% of all Canadians 16 years of age and older with the first dose of vaccine by the end of June 2021.
  • Ontario is following the NACI recommendation as evidence suggests that this will result in a reduction in infections, symptomatic disease, hospitalization and ICU admissions.
  • The following populations groups will still receive the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine between 21 to 42 days:
    • Long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care and Assisted Living residents who are at the greatest risk of both exposure to COVID-19 and serious illness and death.
    • Remote and isolated First Nation communities given the potential seriousness of COVID-19 infection in these communities with limited available health care facilities and resources.
  • Ontario’s Vaccine Clinical Advisory Group will be examining dose interval evidence and recommendations for individuals whose ability to develop effective protection against COVID-19 following immunization may be compromised due to their medical conditions.
  • Vaccine effectiveness after 1 dose will be closely monitored to inform future decisions to delay second doses. Vaccine effectiveness against variants of concern will also be monitored closely.

Health Canada Statement - AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

When several European countries paused the use of AstraZeneca vaccine (specific batches or altogether) as a precautionary measure while the European Medicines Agency’s safety committee completed an investigation into reported cases of blood clots post-vaccination, Health Canada issued the following alert on March 11, 2021:

  • Health Canada is aware of these reports and would like to reassure Canadians that the benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh its risk. At this time there is no indication that the vaccine caused these events.
  • The United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has confirmed that following the administration of 11 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in its jurisdiction, reports of blood clots are no greater than expected.
  • There have been no adverse events related to the AstraZeneca vaccine reported to Health Canada and none of the identified batches under review have been received in Canada.
  • The Government of Canada will continue to work with international regulators to receive and assess information available and determine if action is needed in Canada.

Health Canada issued a statement on March 24, 2021 advising of an update to the AstraZeneca product monograph/label to include information on very rare reports of blood clots and low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) following immunization with the AstraZeneca vaccine:

  • Health Canada worked closely with European regulators to review the data and update the product monograph.
  • Health Canada has indicated that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines continues to be safe and effective at protecting individuals against symptomatic COVID-19 infection and encourages Canadians to receive any COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized for use in Canada that is offered to them.
  • Health Canada has a strong vaccine safety monitoring program and there have not been reports of these rare adverse reactions related to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
  • Heath Canada will continue to review evidence as it becomes available and work with international officials and vaccine manufacturers to receive additional information as it becomes available.

Additional guidance for health care professionals and vaccine recipients has also been issued by Health Canada.

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 phone lines remain open. Call us with any COVID-19 related questions you have at 1-800-461-1818.

Moving Forward

The Porcupine Health Unit remains committed to the safe, effective, and ethical distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the district.  All COVID-19 vaccines are good and are essential to the pandemic response and will save lives. Once you are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine it is recommended that you accept any vaccine offered to you as all vaccines are safe and early vaccination is most important to reducing the spread and devastating consequences of COVID-19 infection. Until you are eligible for the vaccine, please continue being patient and practice all public health measures.

The Porcupine Health Unit continues to recruit staff and volunteers to support COVID-19 vaccination across the district:

  • Visit Employment (porcupinehu.on.ca) to learn about employment opportunities or call 1-800-461-1818. Individuals who are seeking employment with the health unit should email information and resume to [email protected].
  • Community partners and independent volunteers are of great value to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines across the district. Email [email protected] with your offer of support.

Additional Information: