Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

March 18, 2021

From:
Dr. Piotr Oglaza
Medical Officer of Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

1. Provincial COVID-19 Booking System Now Open for 80+
    
2. COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit for health care providers and Indigenous Communities
    
3. Delayed local injection site reactions to COVID-19 Vaccine
    
4. Professional Development Opportunity
    

Provincial COVID-19 Booking System now open for 80+

Beginning March 15, 2021, individuals aged 80 and older can book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination at ontario.ca/bookvaccine. Online booking is encouraged. If your clients are unable to book online for themselves, they may ask a friend or family member to book on their behalf. They will require a photo ID health card number to book online.

As booking is being managed directly by the province, those who are unable to book online are advised to contact the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-888-999-6488. The Booking Line is available 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Monday-Sunday. Individuals who do not have a photo ID health card will be required to book by phone.
 

COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit for health care providers and Indigenous communities

“Health care providers are uniquely positioned to answer questions and provide information about COVID-19 vaccination. To support them in their role, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has developed a new resource titled the COVID-19 Vaccination Tool Kit for Health Care Providers. You can use this tool kit as a quick resource to help your patients and colleagues make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination by sharing credible information and resources with them.

Within the tool kit, you will find links to general information about COVID-19, an overview of authorized vaccines, guidance for managing COVID-19 vaccination clinics, an overview of vaccine safety, as well as a number of additional resources such as digital tools, communication materials, and provincial/territorial specific resources.” (PHAC, 2021)

Download or view the tool kit: COVID-19 Vaccination Tool Kit for Health Care Providers.

A separate communication tool kit has also been created to meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities. This tool kit provides a variety of communication resources and information for community leaders to share, as well as guidance for creating tailored messages.

• Download or view the tool kit: Communications Toolkit – Indigenous Communities and Organizations
• Download or view social media messaging: Social Media Message Translations – Indigenous Communities and Organizations

Delayed local injection site reactions to COVID-19 vaccine

In a recent webinar, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), discussed delayed injection site reactions (termed “COVID arm” in a related presentation) following COVID-19 vaccination. Delayed reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines are common and can range from hours to several days (e.g. 2-11 days). Injection site reactions are most commonly self-limiting (resolve without the use of antibiotics) and do not contraindicate future doses of COVID-19. Cellulitis is a very rare side effect and can be ruled out if there are no systemic symptoms (e.g. fever, malaise, myalgia).

In line with key messages from PHAC, HPEPH provides the following recommendations regarding delayed injection site reactions:

• If an individual has experienced a delayed local reaction previously, they may still receive future COVID-19 vaccinations.
• When clients are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, counsel them about delayed local reactions and reassure all individuals that most reactions are self-limited.
• Delayed local reactions are an Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) and should be reported to HPEPH.

For more information on the possible side effects associated with the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the federal Vaccine Safety website.

For weekly provincial updates on Adverse Events Following Immunizations (AEFI) with the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit Public Health Ontario’s website.

To report an AEFI, please use the current AEFI form available at https://hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-hcp/.

Professional development opportunity 

Public Health Ontario (PHO) Rounds: COVID-19: Variants of Concern
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

The objectives of the webinar are to:

• Describe the variants of concern for COVID-19 and their role in the pandemic
• Summarize the laboratory results associated with variants of concern in Ontario
• Discuss the infection prevention and control measures recommended for use with variants of concern

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: etubbs@hpeph.ca

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

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