Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

June 30, 2021

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

In this Issue:

  1. Local COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Update
  2. Primary Care Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Reports
  3. Out of Province/Country COVID-19 Vaccine Reporting
  4. Vaccine Interchangeability: Second Dose Guidance for Mixed mRNA Schedules
  5. Continued Acceleration of Second COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
  6. Walk-in Vaccine Clinics for Youth Ages 12-17 Years
  7. Professional Development Opportunity: Back-to-School Psychological Considerations
  8. New & Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Resources and Guidance Documents

COVID-19 Vaccine News & Updates

Local COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Update

As of June 28, 2021, 75% of Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) residents over the age of 12 (or 112,366 individuals) have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, 28% of area residents (42,255 individuals) have received their second dose.

Primary Care Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Reports

Beginning mid-July 2021, primary care providers who are part of a patient enrollment model (PEM) will be provided with an online tool to help identify patients in their practice that have received a COVID-19 vaccine, including vaccine type/brand and date(s) received. A ONE® ID account is required to access the report. Applicable PEMs include FHO, FHG, FHN, or CCM. To ensure you have access to these reports when they become available:

Questions regarding access to the upcoming Primary Care Vaccination Reports can be submitted to: OHQO_PrimaryCare@ontariohealth.ca

 

Out of Province/Country COVID-19 Vaccine Reporting

Individuals who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination in a different province/out of Canada, or received a second dose out of province/Country, can now submit COVID-19 immunization records for out of Ontario vaccination through HPEPH’S COVID-19 Immunization Records for Out of Ontario Vaccination online form. This process will ensure their vaccinations are appropriately documented in COVAX and they can register for their second dose if applicable.

Vaccine interchangeability: Second Dose Guidance for Mixed mRNA Schedules

On June 17, 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released updated guidance on first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada.

NACI recommends the following:

  • If mRNA COVID-19 vaccine received for first dose
    • If available, the same mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product should be offered for the second dose in a vaccine series. When the same mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product is not readily available another mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product recommended for use in that age group should be offered to complete the vaccine series (current guidance does not require further doses).
  • If viral vector AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine received for first dose
    • NACI now recommends that the second dose be an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to complete the series. This recommendation is based on emerging evidence of a potentially increased immune response from this mixed vaccine schedule and to lower the potential risk of Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) associated with viral vector vaccines.
    • Individuals may still prefer and opt to complete their vaccine series with AstraZeneca, if available.
      Note: Individuals who received two doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are considered protected, and do not need to restart the vaccine series with another product.

In order to ensure optimal protection as soon as possible, healthcare providers should continue to encourage all patients to get a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become eligible.

Related Resources:

Continued Acceleration of Second COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

As of Monday June 28, 2021, all remaining Ontarians who have received their first dose became eligible to book an accelerated second dose appointment, respecting the recommended intervals. The current minimum intervals for vaccine booking are 28 days if PfizerBioNTech/Moderna was received for first dose and minimum 8 weeks if Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD was received as first dose.
Note: As per current provincial guidance, all individuals ages 12-17 must have minimum vaccine interval of 8 weeks between doses.

Additional vaccine eligibility and booking information can be found on HPEPH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Booking and Eligibility web page.

Walk-in Vaccine Clinics for Youth Ages 12-17 Years

HPE youth ages 12-17 can now walk in to HPEPH community clinics in Picton, Bancroft and Belleville (Loyalist College only) to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. No appointments necessary. Clinics that are accepting walk in appointments are listed at hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking/

Professional Development Opportunity

Back-to-School Psychological Considerations

Queen’s University is hosting an online learning series for healthcare professionals and educators to support children and youth with adjusting to a “new normal” in the fall as in-person classes are expected to resume.
Series schedule and topics:

  • Thursday, August 26, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST - Return to Classroom: Challenges and considerations
  • Wednesday, September 1 - 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST - ADHD diagnosis in the landscape of COVID
  • Thursday, September 9 - 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST - Supporting children, adolescents, and young adults as they resume the "new normal"

For more information and registration, please visit https://healthsci.queensu.ca/opdes/programs/backtoschool.

COVID-19 News, Resources & Guidance Document Updates

New & Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Resources and Guidance Documents

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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