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

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 2nd doses of the vaccine to those who received their first dose and booked an appointment for their 2nd 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:

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:

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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.

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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