By March 11, 2021, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit aims to have completed the second dose of COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care home residents, First Nation elder care individuals and staff, and alternate level of care patients that have received their first dose of vaccine. The Health Unit says it aims to provide first doses for all staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes who wish to receive the vaccine. Additionally, vaccine has been allocated to begin immunizing alternate level of care patients in hospital as well as to begin immunizing our highest priority health care workers.
The Health Unit says immediate priorities for vaccine roll out for the remainder of March include:
- Alternate level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
- Highest Priority health care workers, followed by Very High Priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
- Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities).
When the above immediate priority groups have received vaccination for COVID-19, as vaccine is available, the remaining Phase 1 population will be eligible to receive the vaccine, including:
- Adults 80 years of age and older.
- Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g., assisted living).
- Health care workers in the High Priority level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
- All Indigenous adults.
- Adult recipients of chronic home care.
The Health Unit says the pace at which it can move through the priority groups is dependent on vaccine shipments received locally. To date, their first shipment was received January 26 and the second on February 22.
The Health Unit’s Vaccine Strategy Playbook is now available on their website and the document serves as a basis to guide the local rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Written by Bradley Aubin
