January 29, 2021
Dear Health Care Professional:
On behalf of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), I want to thank all community Health Care Providers (HCPs) for your ongoing efforts to provide frontline care to the residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC), and for all the adjustments you have made to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Due to the pandemic, HPEPH has had to adjust services offered to the public (such as substance use, immunization and sexual health) to direct our efforts toward COVID-19 response. Thus, HPEPH has leaned on you, our community health care partners, to meet the needs of community members in relation to these services and for that, we offer our whole-hearted gratitude. We know it hasn’t been easy to adapt to the continuous change and uncertainty related to the pandemic. As you know, hope is around the corner as Phase 1 of COVID-19 vaccination has reached our region.
As you are likely aware, the Ministry of Health is implementing a three-phase approach to the rollout and has identified priority populations that will be eligible to receive the vaccine within each phase. As there are several priority populations in each Phase, we are sharing additional details of our vaccine rollout plan with you, including stages within each phase, and expected timing for priority groups to receive the vaccine. While most decisions about priority groups are made by the province, public health has some flexibility to make decisions about phasing/sub groups within the provincial phases. These decisions are developed in collaboration with our partners throughout the South East region. We are committed to sharing information as transparently as possible with our health care partners and the general community. Below, I will attempt to answer some of the common questions we have received from our health care partners.
What is the current status of vaccination rollout in HPEC?
We have been directed to administer first doses to those in Long-Term Care Homes (LTCHs) and High-risk Retirement Homes in our area first, and we are on track to complete this by mid-February. Once completed, we intend to provide second doses to this group and start immunizing staff and essential caregivers at LTCHs and health care workers.
How is eligibility decided for priority groups?
Vaccine eligibility is guided by the core principles of protecting the health care system and reducing death and disease related to COVID-19. Right now, Phase 1 is focusing on vaccination of long-term care home and high-risk retirement home residents. Since current vaccine supply is limited, this focus will help reduce the likelihood that these individuals will end up in hospital due to COVID-19 related complications, which in turn, reduces the risk of exposure for acute care/hospital staff.
When will health care professionals receive the vaccine?
We recognize that our health care partners are eager to receive the vaccine. Please understand that timelines for local implementation of provincial rollout phases and associated eligibility continue to evolve based on vaccine availability. The timelines provided below are broad and approximate, as we cannot provide more concrete timelines due to the fluctuation of vaccine availability. In addition, since rates of the virus remain relatively low and stable in our region, other areas with higher rates of the virus are receiving larger amounts of the vaccine first. While HPEPH has no control over the timing or amount of vaccine that is received in our region, we are working to ensure that vaccine is distributed to eligible individuals locally as soon as it becomes available. Please be reassured that more vaccine will be available over the coming months for all those who want and need it.
It is generally agreed that anyone who is at a higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19 through their professional role should be prioritized. Detailed timelines and eligibility criteria in HPEC will be based on the provincial prioritization guidelines, and consultation with local stakeholders.
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