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COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - March 18, 2021

Volume 8 – Issued March 18, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin

Information pertaining to COVID-19 vaccines changes rapidly. As new evidence emerges, additional COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in Canada, projected vaccine supply changes, and updates become available, new recommendations and guidance will be provided and announced by the provincial and federal governments. The Porcupine Health Unit’s COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletins provide highlights of announcements and updates and will be released weekly.     

Planning

  • The Porcupine Health Unit is responsible for leading the COVID-19 vaccination program across the district.
  • In collaboration with community partners across the district ongoing plans continue in accordance with Ontario’s Vaccine Distribution Implementation Plan as well as ensure that vaccine distribution adhere to the principles set out in the Ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
  • These collaborations are important and necessary to ensure that as vaccines arrive, immunizations can begin right away for eligible individuals.
  • 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

  • All COVID-19 vaccines are good, and all vaccines will help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Currently there are 4 COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada. To date, the Porcupine Health Unit district has been administering the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, but this could change.
  • Several factors determine the type of vaccine used.
    • Recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations as well as the provincial guidance documents for vaccine administration to specific population groups.
    • Vaccine availability at the federal and provincial levels, and ultimately the vaccine shipments that the health unit receives from the provincial government.
  • Regardless of the type of vaccines received in future deliveries, all COVID-19 vaccines authorized by Heath Canada are safe and effective.
  • The Porcupine Health Unit will inform the public if a different COVID-19 vaccine is received that will be used at upcoming clinics.
  • Phase One of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan is still underway throughout the Porcupine Health Unit district:

 

 

 

PHU Phase 1 Vaccine Plan

 

 

 

Mar 15-21

Mar 22-28

Mar 29 - Apr 11

1st doses for highest priority health care workers

 

X

X

X

1st doses for Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (adults, 55+)

X

X

 

1st doses for adults 80 years of age and older

 

X

X

X

1st doses for very high and high priority health care workers

 

X

X

1st doses for moderate priority health care workers

 

X

X

1st doses for Indigenous adults 18 years of age and older in urban and remote or isolated First Nation communities

 

X

X

 

  • The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics schedule can be found under the COVID-19 Vaccine area of the health unit’s website.
  • 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.
  • Healthcare workers within the health unit district must pre-register for COVID-19 vaccine by completing the online pre-registration. By pre-registering, you will be notified by email of upcoming vaccine clinics in your community. Healthcare workers will be immunized according to the Ontario’s Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination document.
  • 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.

Vaccine Rollout & Announcements

  • Ontario’s provincial online COVID-19 vaccine booking system and customer service desk launched on Monday March 15, 2021. However, all COVID-19 vaccine appointments for community clinics held throughout the Porcupine Health Unit district continue to be booked though the Porcupine Health Unit’s website or by calling 1-800- 461-1818.  The health unit will transition to the province’s online booking system in the coming weeks.

    On March 11, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced that close to 700,000 people have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and almost 300,000 people have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Premier Doug Ford indicated that the overall goal is to immunize up to 9 million Ontarians between April 2021 and July 2021 during Phase Two of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan. As always, this goal is dependant upon the vaccine supply received from the federal government.

    Health Canada has issued an advisory and is closely monitoring the reports of blood clots post-vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Europe. As a precautionary measure, some European countries have paused the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (specific batches or altogether) while the European Medicines Agency’s safety committee completes an investigation into reported cases of blood clots post-vaccination. 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. Health Canada is reassuring 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.
    • There have been no adverse events related to the AstraZeneca vaccine reported to Health Canada.
    • The AstraZenca vaccines batches received in Canada are different than those associated with the reports in European countries.
    • 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.

    Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that Canada will be receiving a minimum of one million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine every week from March 22, 2021 to May 10, 2021. Additional details re: vaccine procurement is available online: Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19: Vaccine rollout - Canada.ca.

NACI AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Update

The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) has updated the recommendations on the use of AstraZeneca vaccine for individuals 65 years of age and older after review of additional evidence from the use of the vaccine in this population group in other countries. The real-world evidence from the United Kingdom demonstrates that the effectiveness of one dose of this vaccine in adults 65 years of age an older has shown a reduced risk of symptomatic COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. Also, it appears as though there is a comparable efficacy level in adults of the same age who receive one dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and is also similar to the efficacy in the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trials in adults 18 to 64 years of age.

Details regarding Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan in light of this new recommendation is pending.  

Special Populations - Updated Guidance Document

On March 11, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released an updated COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Specific Populations guidance document which provides additional advice and information:

  • The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are currently conducting trials in pediatric populations.
  • For individuals with allergies requiring documentation following an evaluation by an allergist/immunologist, the documentation of the vaccination care plan must now include these additional details: what parameters the vaccine clinics should have in place to provide safe vaccination (e.g. availability of advanced medical care), and details regarding the severity of previously allergic episodes.

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

As COVID-19 vaccine distribution unfolds there is an ever-increasing sense of hopefulness for everyone. The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are safe and effective, and vaccination against COVID-19 will prevent countless infection and deaths. Until you are eligible for the vaccine, please continue being patient and practice all public health measures.

The Porcupine Health Unit continues to recruit COVID-19 Response Assistants and Immunizers to support COVID-19 vaccination across the district. Visit Employment (porcupinehu.on.ca) to learn about opportunities to become involved in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout or call 1-800-461-1818.

Additional Information: