Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

October 8, 2021

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

In this Issue:

  1. Updated Co-administration of COVID-19 Vaccines with other Vaccines
  2. Ontario Recommends Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for People 18-24 Years Old
  3. Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Long-Term Care Home Staff
  4. NACI Recommends Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine in Long-term Care Residents
  5. HPEPH issues Letter of Instruction Requiring Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Coaches, Officials, Volunteers 12+ Involved in Indoor Organized Sports
  6. Resources on Providing Culturally Safe Health Care
  7. New and Updated COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine News & Updates

Updated Co-Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines with other Vaccines

NACI now recommends that COVID-19 vaccines be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live, non-live, adjuvanted or unadjuvanted vaccines.

NACI released the following statements regarding their position:

  • No specific safety concerns have been identified when routine vaccines are given at the same time or within days of each other; however, there is a possibility of increased temporary side-effects when a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine are administered at the same time or within days of each other.
  • Allowing COVID-19 vaccines to be given at the same time as or within days of other routine vaccines will help facilitate the rollout of the 2021 influenza vaccine program in the fall and winter and will make it easier for individuals to receive other routine vaccines they have missed due to the pandemic.
  • Vaccines administered during the same visit should be administered at different injection sites [if it must be the same arm, at least 1 inch apart]. As with other vaccines, when possible, administration on the same day is preferred to vaccines being given within a few days of each other.

Ontario Recommends Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for People 18-24 Years Old

Ontario issued a preferential recommendation of the use of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals aged 18-24 years old effective immediately based on the current available analysis from Ontario’s adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance system.

This recommendation was based on the advice of Ontario’s Children COVID-19 Vaccine Table, Ontario Vaccine Clinical Advisory Group, and Public Health Ontario and is due to an observed increase in Ontario of the very rare heart condition called pericarditis/myocarditis following vaccination with Moderna compared to Pfizer in the 18 to 24 year old age group, particularly among males. The majority of reported cases have been mild with individuals recovering quickly, normally with anti-inflammatory medication. Symptoms have typically been reported to start within one week after vaccination, more commonly after the second dose.

Should individuals aged 18 to 24-year old wish to receive Moderna they can continue to do so with informed consent.

Also note, the province and HPEPH will continue using the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12-17 (including those turning 12 in 2021).

A full updated version of the NACI recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines was released on September 28, 2021.

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Long-Term Care Home Staff

As an additional layer of protection for LTCH residents who have been disproportionately impacted during the COIVD-19 pandemic, Ontario has mandated vaccination for all in home staff and all homes in Ontario are now required to meet the following:

  • Staff, support workers, students, and volunteers will have until November 15, 2021 to show proof that they have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, or to show proof of a valid medical exemption.
  • Staff who do not have all required doses or a valid medical exemption by the deadline will not be able to enter a long-term care home to work.
  • Newly hired staff will be required to be fully vaccinated before they begin working in a home unless they have a valid medical exemption.
  • Homes will begin randomly testing fully vaccinated individuals, including staff, caregivers and visitors, to help detect possible breakthrough cases of COVID-19 as early as possible.

NACI Recommends Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine in Long Term Care Residents

NACI now recommends the below individuals receive a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to boost their immune response at least 6 months after the primary series has been completed,

  • Residents of long-term care homes
  • Seniors living in other congregate settings, e.g. High-Risk Retirement Homes and Elder Care Lodges who have already received a primary COVID-19 vaccine series.

In Ontario, long term care residents are already being offered third doses of COIVD-19 vaccine.

HPEPH issues Letter of Instruction Requiring Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Coaches, Officials, Volunteers 12+ Involved in Indoor Organized Sports

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has issued a Letter of Instruction that requires all owners, operators, and individuals responsible for indoor facilities that host organized sports in Hastings and Prince Edward counties to confirm proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all coaches, officials and volunteers aged 12 and older associated with indoor organized sports.

Professional Development Opportunities

Resources on Providing Culturally Safe Health Care

As we recently recognized the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation  on September 30, 2021, it is critical that we all remain committed to providing culturally safe health care. The Indigenous Health Committee (IHC) at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has created the following resources to promote conversation on providing culturally safe health care:

COVID-19 Resources & Guidance Document Updates

New and Updated COVID-19 Resources

HPEPH is offering services by appointment only. We remain dedicated to protecting our community by providing local HCPs and community members with new information as it becomes available. Current information on COVID-19 specifically for health care providers can be found at hpePublicHealth.ca, Ontario Ministry of Health and at publichealthontario.ca.

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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