Vaccination FAQ

Submitted by Marina Hodson

Are you as confused as I am about when to get a vaccine, which one to choose and how to get your appointment?  Well, I hope the following helps shed some light on what is going on in the City of Kawartha Lakes and area.

What vaccines are available?

·        At this time, three vaccines have been approved for use in Canada.  They are Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca all of which are mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines.

·        In our health unit region, both Moderna and Pfizer have been administered.

·        A viral vector vaccine, more like those we are traditionally familiar with, has also been developed but is not yet approved in Canada.

Which vaccine should I choose?

·        Unless there is a health reason to the contrary that answer is easy – the one that is being offered in your area.

Who has been vaccinated so far?

·        The Provincial Vaccine Rollout focused on various priority groups and in our area we are currently in Phase I.

·        Initial doses were provided to Long-term care and high-risk retirement homes (this included staff, residents and essential caregivers).

·        Patients in hospital who had been confirmed for admission to a long-term care home or similar congregate setting were also immunized during the initial rollout.

Am I eligible yet?

·        We are now shifting into the next populations identified in Phase I which include health care workers, residents of other congregate care settings for seniors, remaining Indigenous adults and anyone 80 years of age and older.

·        Once these groups have received their vaccinations, all other persons will become eligible.

What are the timelines?

·        Vaccine doses continue to arrive locally and clinics for those 80 years and older are anticipated to start by the end of March or beginning of April.

·        Unfortunately all timelines are dependent on the vaccine distribution, so check the HKPR website for updates.  

Can I book an appointment?

·        Not at this time.  We wish we could offer everyone an appointment, but the reality is that we are simply not able to.

·        The good news is that an online booking system is anticipated to be up and running later this month which will allow residents access to clinics and to be able to register for vaccinations, so keep checking the HKPR site for updates.

So please be patient and rest assured that everyone will have their turn, but we must ensure that those who are most at risk are able to get first access.

Your friends at the Kawartha North FHT