Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

March 26, 2021

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

In this Issue:

1. Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination
2. Health Care Worker COVID-19 Vaccination
3. COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration Information to Share with Patients
4. Health Canada Statement on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
5. COVID-19 Vaccination of Previously Infected Clients
6. COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Professionals

Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination

On March 22, the Ontario Ministry of Health released the COVID-19 Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination. This document outlines the following populations becoming eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out:

• Adults aged 60 to 79, in 5-year increments
• High-risk congregate settings (such as shelters, community living)
• Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers
• Those who cannot work from home
• At-risk populations

Health Care Worker COVID-19 Vaccination

As of end of day March 26, 2021, Quinte Health Care will no longer scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers*. Health care workers can now pre-register for COVID-19 vaccination by completing the COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List for Health Care Workers survey. After completion of the survey, those who pre-register will receive an invitation code to book an appointment through the Ministry of Health.

*Those with appointments already scheduled will be vaccinated by QHC. QHC will provide 2^nd doses of the vaccine to those who received their first dose and booked an appointment for their 2^nd dose with the hospital.

COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration Information to Share with Patients

If your clients fit into one of the following populations, please pass along the applicable COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration link to facilitate notification and scheduling of vaccination when the applicable population becomes eligible:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List for People with Chronic Conditions:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List for Health Care Workers:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List for Indigenous Peoples

• COVID-19 Vaccine Notification List for Essential Caregivers in LTC and RH

For more detailed information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria, please visit HPEPH’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage.

Health Canada Statement on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

“On March 24, 2021, Health Canada updated the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD Product Monographs, as well as issuing a Health Product Risk Communication. These updates highlight that a combination of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia, in some cases accompanied by bleeding, has been observed very rarely following vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, and provide further guidance for healthcare professionals and vaccine recipients. Health Canada has issued a Statement on these updates. Health Canada considers that the benefits of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD (the version of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine currently being distributed in Canada) in protecting Canadians from COVID-19 continue to outweigh the risks.” (Ministry of Health, 2021)

COVID-19 Vaccination of Previously Infected Clients

The Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Information Sheet states that “symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals who have been advised to self-isolate due to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection or due to close contact with a COVID-19 case should not attend a vaccine clinic and should wait to get their vaccine until their isolation period is over.” (Ministry of Health, 2021)

COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Professionals

HPEPH continues to update the COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers webpage with timely and relevant information including the following topics:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• Screening, Testing & Case Management of Patients and Health Care Workers
• PPE and Cleaning Products for Health Care Providers
• Resources for Pregnancy and Birth as well as Child Care
• Information for Allied Health Professionals
• Guidance for Long-term Care and Retirement Homes
• General Health Sector Resources
• Ministry of Health Directives
• Posters for Clinic Spaces
• Information for Patients

Newly Added Resources:

1. The Canadian Rheumatology Association recently released a decision aid for clients with rheumatic disease to use when considering COVID-19 vaccination that discusses how COVID-19 vaccine work, potential side effects, considerations specific to those with autoimmune rheumatic disease, medication management recommendations when getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine decision options.
    
2. The Ministry of Long Term Care and Ministry of Health have released additional items as a part of their COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit to assist HCPs in discussing the vaccine with their clients:

• Toolkit Welcome
• Vaccine Fact Sheet
• 5 Things to Know About Vaccines
• Vaccine Conversation
• Vaccine Q&A
• Vaccine Poster 8X11
• Vaccine Poster 11X17

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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