In response to emerging data on the increased risk of severe illness for pregnant individuals, Ontario’s Vaccine Clinical Advisory Group (VCAG) has recommended the inclusion of pregnant individuals in the Highest Risk category of health conditions. As part of this group, pregnant individuals and one primary caregiver are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccines...
Tag: COVID-19
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Age eligibility for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine expanded to 40+
The province of Ontario has announced that starting Tuesday, April 20, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to individuals aged 40 and over at pharmacies across the province. Eligible individuals can book an appointment at participating pharmacies by accessing: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations Based on the review of data from Europe and the United Kingdom, Health Canada...
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Peel residents aged 50 and over in select hot spot postal codes now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine
Peel residents 50 years of age and older, living in hotspot postal codes, are now eligible to book vaccine appointments at Peel Public Health and hospital clinics. In Peel, the list of hotspot postal codes includes: L4T, L4W, L4X, L4Z, L5A, L5B, L5R, L5C, L5K, L5L, L5M, L5N, L5V, L5W, L6P, L6R, L6S, L6T, L7C,...
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COVID-19 Vaccination of the Senior 65+ Population
Peel residents aged 65-69 are now eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at hospital clinics. Appointments for the 65-69 age group will also be expanded to Peel Public Health community clinic sites in the coming days. In alignment with the Ministry’s Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination, individuals with the following conditions, along...
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COVID-19 Vaccination of the Senior 75+ Population
• As of March 22nd, Peel residents aged 75 and older (including those who will turn 75 in 2021) are eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. These residents are currently being invited to book appointments at Peel Public Health clinics as well as hospital clinic sites. To access appointment booking for any of these sites, eligible...
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Important Safety Information on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD: Risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia – AstraZeneca Canada Inc. and Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD were authorized for use in Canada on February 26, 2021, in accordance with the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19. Since the time of authorization, there have been very rare reports in Europe of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following administration...
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Vaccination of the Senior 80+ Population
Peel residents 80 years of age and older (including those born in 1941 or earlier) are eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. These residents are currently being invited to book appointments at hospital clinic sites. Brampton– WilliamOslerHealthSystem vaccine clinic: Book appointments online at https://www.williamoslerhs.ca/patients-and-families/preparing-for-your-visit-or-stay/coronavirus-information-for-patients-families/covid-19-vaccine/ Mississauga– TrilliumHealthPartners vaccine clinic: Pre-register for appointments at https://op.trilliumhealthpartners.ca/vaccinationreg/ Appointments will...
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Extension of Second Dose Intervals for COVID- 19 Vaccines
Ontario government is extending the vaccination dose interval up to 16 weeks for the three two-dose vaccines currently approved by Health Canada (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD). This is based on the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Individuals who have already booked their second dose will have their appointments rescheduled. This will...
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Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine
On March 5, 2021, Health Canada authorized the use of the Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine. This vaccine is an adenovirus vector vaccine administered through a single dose. More information about the Janssen vaccine including how it works, how it’s given and possible side effects is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health- canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19- industry/drugs-vaccines- treatments/vaccines/janssen.html HMC
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Astra Zeneca/COVISHEILD COVID-19 Vaccine
On February 26, 2021, Health Canada authorized the use of the Astra Zeneca/COVISHELD vaccine. This vaccine is an adenovirus vector vaccine and is administered through two doses. More information about the AstraZeneca vaccine including how it works, how it’s given and possible side effects is available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health- canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19- industry/drugs-vaccines- treatments/vaccines/astrazeneca.html HMC
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Answering Patient Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines
Dear Patients, As you all know, the first vaccines are being given to higher-risk people and healthcare workers. But we look forward to when you all will have access to the vaccine. We do not yet know the place or the timing and we will communicate this when we do. Appropriate steps taken – The...
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Important Safety Information on the Authorization of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels – Moderna Biopharma Canada Corporation
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine was authorized for use in accordance with the Interim Order Respecting the Importation, Sale and Advertising of Drugs for Use in Relation to COVID-19. As an extraordinary measure to provide earlier access to vaccine supplies in the context of the global pandemic, Moderna is providing, at this time, vaccine vials and cartons...
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3 Approved COVID-19 Vaccines Efficacy
Interim results of two large randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrate ~95% relative efficacy in preventing COVID-19 (Pfizer, Moderna). The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine has ~70% relative efficacy. Absolute benefits will vary with baseline risk and time but if annual risk of developing COVID-19 is 20%, then vaccine would decrease risk to 1% (6% with AstraZeneca/Oxford). These vaccines...
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Here are the top five things doctors recommend you can do to protect yourselves and others:
Wash your hands often. Wear a mask or face covering at all times, unless you are at home with housemates or outdoors at a guaranteed two metres’ distance from others. Stay away from crowded places. Celebrate or gather only with members of your household. Don’t invite others into your home. Prepare for contact tracing if...
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Health Canada warns Canadians not to buy COVID-19 vaccines sold online or from unauthorized sources
Health Canada is warning Canadians not to buy COVID-19 vaccines sold on the internet or from unauthorized sources as they are counterfeit. Counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines may pose serious health risks, and are ineffective at protecting an individual from the COVID-19 virus. HMC
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COVID-19 Alert APP
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covidalert Download the app to protect yourself and the community. HMC
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Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Health Canada recommendations for people with serious allergies
Two individuals in the U.K. reported severe allergic reactions to Pfizer BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine on December 8, 2020. As vaccine roll-out begins in Canada, Canadians may be wondering about the risks of allergic reactions and if they should receive this vaccine if they have allergies to foods or other medications. Health Canada has reviewed the...
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Ultraviolet (UV) lights and wands falsely claiming to disinfect against COVID-19
Health Canada is warning Canadians about the risks of using ultraviolet (UV) lights and wands that make unproven claims to disinfect against the COVID-19 virus. HMC
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Talc and petroleum jelly among the best lubricants for people wearing PPE
Researchers at Imperial College London found the best lubricants for frontline healthcare workers who are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic are those that do not absorb into the skin, creating a long-lasting layer of protection between skin and PPE. Non-absorptive creams such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, or beeswax mixtures,...
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Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can have serious side effects. These drugs should be used only under the supervision of a physician.
Health Canada is concerned that some people may be directly buying and using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat COVID-19 without a prescription. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause serious side effects, including serious heart rhythm problems. The risk of these side effects may increase at higher doses, or if the drugs are used in...