HURON-PERTH – On Aug. 17, the province announced that those turning 12 in 2021 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as a provincial plan to begin offering third doses to select vulnerable populations.
Effective Aug. 18, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is offering COVID-19 immunizations to individuals turning 12 in 2021. Individuals born in 2009 or earlier are welcome to attend any clinic, including walk-in clinics.
HPPH is not offering any third doses of COVID-19 vaccine through its clinics at this time, nor are they able to book appointments for a third dose at this time. Local planning continues for contacting and arranging vaccinations for those eligible for a third dose, but no details have been finalized yet. Third dose eligibility includes individuals with the following conditions:
- transplant recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants);
- patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for malignant hematologic disorders; and
- recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab).
The province also announced plans for third doses for residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges. Local planning continues for these settings as well. HPPH will share more details as soon as possible.
“These vulnerable populations have been identified for a third dose because they have a decreased immune response after COVID-19 vaccines compared to the general population,” says Dr. Lauren Hayward, HPPH physician consultant. “A third dose for these groups will help to provide sufficient protection based on a suboptimal or waning immune response to vaccines and increased risk of COVID-19 infection. A third dose can help boost immunity in these groups, and keep them safe.”
At this time, third doses are not recommended for anyone not included in the provincial list of vulnerable populations. HPPH does not provide third doses for the purpose of travel, for example.
HPPH continues to provide more options for residents to get vaccinated with their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. For the second half of August, HPPH will continue to offer evening hours, walk-in opportunities, and pop-up locations throughout Huron and Perth counties to make it easier for residents to get their first or second dose.
Clinic details
- Clinics are open for first and second doses and will primarily administer the Pfizer vaccine, unless otherwise specified as 18+ only clinics.
- New evening hours will be offered at the majority of HPPH walk-in clinics between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Pop-up vaccination clinics will be expanding to more locations throughout Huron and Perth, including the following communities:
- Lucknow (Aug. 18)
- Wingham (Aug. 19)
- Seaforth (Aug. 20)
- Listowel (Aug. 25)
- Exeter (Aug. 26)
- Monkton (Aug. 27)
- Appointments can still be booked for some clinics. Visit hpph.ca/vaccinebooking or call 1-833-753-2098.
- If this is your second dose, make sure it has been at least 28 days since your first mRNA dose, or eight weeks from a first dose of AstraZeneca.
- Pfizer is the only vaccine currently approved for youth ages 12 (or turning 12 in 2021) to 17 and is the only vaccine that will be administered to youth, in keeping with age requirements.
- Bring your health card with you, if you have one, or another piece of identification.
- Please bring a mask and wear a short-sleeved shirt.
- Please dress for the weather and bring water with you to stay hydrated, as you may need to wait in line outside (for walk-ins).
