Algoma COVID-19 Immunization Update - March 17, 2021

Wed, Mar 17, 2021

Algoma continues in Phase One of the provincial roll out of COVID-19.  At this time, immunization clinic sites are in place in municipalities and First Nation communities across the district, operated by numerous health partners.

 

As of Tuesday March 16, 2021:

• Residents of Algoma long-term care homes and First Nation elder care lodges have received first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.  Overall, resident uptake of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine is over 90%. 
• All staff and essential caregivers of Algoma long term care homes and retirement homes have been offered immunization, and any remaining people in this group will continue to be eligible for immunization.
• Highest priority health care workers, both hospital-based, and community based, have begun to receive immunization, and will continue to be offered immunization in the coming weeks.
• Adults aged 80 and over have begun to receive immunization, and will continue to be offered immunization in the coming weeks.
• Indigenous adults aged 55 and over have begun to receive immunization, as well as priority groups in First Nation communities across Algoma.  Indigenous priority groups will continue to be offered immunization in the coming weeks.

Based on new provincial allocations to Algoma expected in the weeks of March 22nd and 29th, the following provincial priority groups will be able to start receiving vaccine in the coming two weeks:

• Very high priority health care workers, both hospital-based and community-based
• Adult recipients of chronic home care, including those who are homebound. Planning for mobile immunization teams is under way.  Adult recipients of chronic home care who are homebound may follow the instructions of their nearest clinic to learn how to access immunization.
• Immediate household members of Indigenous adults aged 55 and over, regardless of status or Indigenous identity

Based on the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the provincial government is extending the interval between first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 16 weeks or 112 days.  This is to increase the number of people who can benefit from a first dose of vaccine in the context of a limited COVID-19 vaccine supply.  Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, and elder care lodges will continue to receive vaccine at 21 to 28-day intervals.

 

At this time, variants of concern continue to spread, and COVID-19 activity is extremely high in many areas of northern Ontario.  The majority of community members have yet to complete the two-dose series of COVID-19 immunization.  Even if you have received COVID-19 immunization, everyone must continue to follow public health recommendations:

• Avoid non-essential travel, especially travel between health unit areas in different zones.  
• Both Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Public Health Sudbury and Districts are currently in Grey - Lockdown.
• If you become ill, stay home and call for testing.  
• Household members of anyone who is ill should also stay home until the ill person's COVID-19 testing result is available.
• Stay 2 metres apart from anyone you do not live with.  
• Avoid shared meals, social visits, gatherings, carpools, and any other close contact with people you do not live with.
• Wear a mask when indoors, and in any outdoor space where you cannot maintain physical distancing.

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