Highest Risk Individuals with health conditions and their essential caregivers in our district can now book COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Individuals in this group who are 18 and older and have a letter of confirmation from the health care provider treating them for the highest risk condition can book by calling the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808, or by phoning the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900.
In addition, this group will also be eligible to book an appointment using the online provincial booking system as of Sunday morning.
These are the highest-risk health conditions as per the province’s framework;
- Organ transplant recipients (including patients waitlisted for transplant);
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients;
- People with neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised (e.g., motorneuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis);
- Haematological malignancy diagnosed less than one year ago;
- Kidney disease eGFR< 30; and
- One essential caregiver for individuals in the groups listed above.
On Saturday, the Health Unit was informed of a change from the Ministry of Health to the eligibility for vaccine intervals for highest-risk individuals with health conditions.
Eligibility for second dose 16-week interval exceptions;
- with malignant hematologic disorders on immunocompromising therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy);
- nonhematologic malignant solid tumours on immunocompromising therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy);
- transplant recipients (including solid organ transplants and hematopoietic stem cell transplants), given evidence of reduced immune response to vaccination in these individuals.
As second dose intervals vary depending on the vaccine product, the second dose will be discussed at the first vaccine appointment.
For those eligible for the second dose interval exception, a letter of confirmation from the health care provider treating the individual for the highest-risk condition is required at the time of the first vaccine appointment.
Individuals who are receiving cancer treatment at Northeast Cancer Centre on or before April 16th will not be required to obtain a letter, as a list of eligible individuals has been provided to the Health Unit.
Individuals starting care after April 16, 2021 will need to obtain a letter.
A letter of confirmation from the health care provider treating the individual for the highest-risk conditions is not required for individuals who do not meet the requirements for a 16-week interval exception.
The Health Unit’s Call Centre can be reached Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-563-2808, for individuals who have questions or are looking to book an appointment.