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COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - July 15, 2021

Volume 24 – Issued July 15, 2021

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

Anyone 12 years of age and older is strongly encouraged to get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Youth 12-17 years of age must receive the Pfizer vaccine. All individuals 12 years of age and older, who have received their first dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days ago can now book an appointment for their second dose.

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:

If you received a second dose appointment at the time of your first vaccine, please note that ALL of these clinics will be cancelled. You MUST self-schedule into an open clinic for your second dose.

COVID-19 Vaccine Numbers:

    • Vaccine doses given at PHU mass immunization clinics: 87,347.
    • Number of people vaccinated with at least 1 dose of vaccine in the PHU area: 48,750.
    • 74.2% of individuals 12 years of age and older in the PHU area have received at least one dose of vaccine.
    • 59.4% of individuals 12 years of age and older in the PHU area have received two doses of vaccine.

Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines Will Reduce Spread And Severity Of COVID-19

Safe and effective vaccines will reduce the spread and severity of COVID-19 disease and reduce the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

COVID-19 vaccines are authorized under the Interim Order which allows for accelerated approval of vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic while still ensuring that these products are safe for Canadians. Health Canada has put in place a fast-tracked review process to assess COVID-19 vaccines. More scientific resources have been dedicated to completing these reviews so that they are done quickly but without cutting corners. As for all vaccines and treatments that are authorized in Canada, including COVID-19 vaccines, Health Canada reviews all the evidence and scientific data. Health Canada then decides whether to authorize the COVID-19 vaccine and will only do so when the evidence shows that the vaccine:

  • is safe, effective and of good quality, and
  • demonstrates that the benefits outweigh the risks. 

Mixing Vaccines Is Safe And Effective

Clinical trials and real-world studies have determined that completion of the COVID-19 vaccine series with a second dose of vaccine is needed to boost the immune response, providing optimal protection against COVID-19, and it is anticipated to provide longer term protection.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has released recommendations confirming that receiving the same vaccine for both doses, as well as interchanging vaccines (receiving a different COVID-19 vaccine product for the second dose) is safe and provides strong protection. 

Mixing vaccines from different manufacturers is not a new concept and is done with other types of vaccines. General vaccine principles indicate that similar vaccines from different manufacturers can be substituted when: they are authorized for the same purpose; for the same populations; have similar schedules; have similar or produce similar type(s) of antigens and are similar in terms of vaccine safety, immune responses and protection provided.

 

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

Helpful Links:

Previous Newsletters — 2021