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COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - April 15, 2021

Volume 12 – Issued April 15, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin

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.

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:
  • 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:
  • Wallace Drug Store: 109 6th Avenue Cochrane, ON. Call 705-272-4381 to make an appointment.
  • Rexall: 142 Progress Crescent Kapuskasing, ON. Call 705-337-1777 or visit rexall.ca/covid-19/vaccines to make an appointment.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart: 681 Algonquin Boulevard East Unit 5 Timmins, ON. Call 705-264-6511 or visit 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:
    • Timmins Academic Family Health Team
    • Kapuskasing and Area Family Health Team

Vaccine Plan

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:

Phase 2 vaccine rollout plan

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 [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.

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 is even 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: