COVID-19 Vaccine Bulletin - July 22, 2021

Volume 25 – Issued July 22, 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-BioNTech 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:

What is the next step in the Roadmap to Reopen? To get out of Step 3 and get back to normal, we need: 80% of Ontarians aged 12+ vaccinated with their first dose AND 75% of Ontarians aged 12+ fully vaccinated AND 70% of PHU residents 12+ fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 Vaccine Numbers:

Vaccine doses given at PHU mass immunization clinics: 88,904.
Number of people vaccinated with at least 1 dose of vaccine in the PHU area: 49,016.
76.0% of individuals 12 years of age and older in the PHU area have received at least one dose of vaccine.
63.6% of individuals 12 years of age and older in the PHU area have received two doses of vaccine.

Now Is The Time To Get Vaccinated And Encourage Others To Get Vaccinated

There are many benefits to receiving the 2 dose series of COVID-19 vaccine:

Decreased risk of getting COVID-19.
Decreased risk of hospitalization, severe illness, and death due to COVID-19.
International travel without requirements to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Canada.
Testing not needed to work or visit a long-term care home if asymptomatic.
Protection of individuals and our communities.
Reduced burden on the healthcare system.

It is predicted that any surge in COVID-19 cases across Ontario, as result of reopening and as we move into the fall, will be among the unvaccinated and the partially vaccinated individuals and communities. Let’s come together to avoid that reality by getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

Ontario will remain in Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopening until at least August 6, 2021. To move beyond Step 3 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening , key public health and health care indicators must remain stable, and the following vaccination rates must be met:

80% of the eligible population aged 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and
75% have received their second, and
70% of every health unit’s population is fully vaccinated with two doses.

Currently, 76.0% of Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) residents have received their first dose and 63.6% have received their second dose. To meet the 70% target, the PHU area must vaccinate an additional 4,633 people with their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Upon reaching these provincial vaccine requirements, most of the public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity limits for indoor and outdoor settings and limits for social gatherings, will be lifted. Only a small number of measures will remain in place. Let’s get there together. Roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

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