Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

May 21, 2021

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

In this Issue:

1. Support for Health Care Providers Counselling Patients re: AstraZeneca Vaccine Pause
2. Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Eligibility (18+)
3. Pre-Registration for Individuals Under 18
4. Revocation of Directive #2 and Resumption of Non-Emergent/Urgent Procedures & Surgeries
5. Rapid Antigen Screening Update

COVID-19 Vaccine News & Updates

Support for Health Care Providers Counselling Patients re: AstraZeneca Vaccine Pause

On May 14, 2021, CMOH Dr. David Williams released a memo to provide additional context and rationale to the pause in first doses of AstraZeneca (AZ)/COVISHIELD (CS) as announced May 11th. Along with the memo, the following 2 resources are available to support Health Care Providers in answering patient questions regarding the pause and guide continued vaccine storage and handling of the vaccine:

• Talking to your Patients About AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 Vaccines: Q & A For Health Care Providers
• COVID-19 Vaccines Storage and Handling Guidance V4.0

Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Eligibility (18+)

Individuals turning 18 and over in 2021 are now eligible to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments at ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by phone at 1-833-943-3900.

Note: When there are no appointments available for HPEPH Community Clinics on the Provincial Vaccine Appointment Booking system, please advise patients to continue to check back daily. New appointments are added regularly. If patients are unable to secure an appointment, they may wish to register for our Weekly Standby List.

Pre-Registration for Individuals Under 18

Individuals under 18 years of age who identify as a member of an eligible Phase 1 or Phase 2 priority group are able to pre-register for vaccinations that will begin after May 31, 2021.

COVID-19 Resource & Guidance Document Updates

Revocation of Directive #2 and Resumption of Non-Emergent/Urgent Procedures & Surgeries

In a memo released to Health Care Providers on May 19, 2021, the Ministry of Health has advised that due to the current downward trend in COVID-19 incidence rates, capacity for non-emergent and non-urgent procedures and surgeries is becoming available, and thus Directive #2 has been revoked effective immediately.

"In gradually resuming non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures, all health care providers should continue to follow the guidance issued by the Ministry of Health in the COVID-19 Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart, as well as all other sector specific Ministry of Health guidance and other CMOH Directives. Hospitals should ensure their resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures follows the requirements set out by Ontario Health in the appended memo Gradual resumption of nonemergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures: Memo #1" (Chief Medical Officer of Health, 2021).

Rapid Antigen Screening Update

For workplace settings, including medical services, the Ministry of Health released recent policy and regulatory changes to support the expanded uptake of rapid antigen screening in Ontario. This initiative will be rolled out through local chambers of commerce and will screen asymptomatic individuals for COVID-19 in the workplace. To support implementation of screening programs, the Ministry of Health offers the following resources:

• The COVID-19 Testing for Organizations webpage is the central hub for information regarding the screening initiative (including setting up testing at your location) and is where organizations can apply for the test kits through the Provincial Antigen Testing Screening Program.
• A memo to community partners re: Expanding Uptake of Antigen Screening, shared on May 14, 2021, that outlines updated policy and regulatory changes in more detail.
• The Antigen Point-of-Care Testing in Ontario: Updated Policies and Regulations FAQ Document
• The “Interested in Rapid Antigen Screening?” information document that highlights key requirements for sites conducting antigen screening in Ontario.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: hart.sara@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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