About Us Careers News & Events Services FAQs Find Us Useful Links Home News & Events Coronavirus Information Covid-19 Vaccine Information Community Involvement Newest Addition to the Medical Centre Latest Breast Screening News Consent Form Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation Accreditation for Medical Centre Mammography Program News & Events Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Information Click here for general COVID information Updated September 7, 2021 COVID19 Medical Excemptions College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has advised that our physicians can write a medical exemption for the following reasons only: 1. You have been seen by an allergist and they confirmed a severe life threatening allergy to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of it’s components. 2. You have confirmed myocarditis/pericarditis after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 3. You have confirmed thrombosis or thrombocytopeniania after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 4. Those with capillary leak syndrome should not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. In order to obtain a note for the above medical exemptions or if you have questions about the benefits and risks of vaccination please speak to your family physician. Updated June 9, 2021 The Peterborough FHT COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Project TOPIC: Planning for Second Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines As many of you are aware, NACI (Canada’s vaccine advisory panel) released updated recommendations on Tuesday, June 1 2021 which are relevant to you as they give you a CHOICE as to what COVID-19 vaccine you receive for your SECOND DOSE. The NACI statement is attached below for your reference. As of today, you essentially have TWO choices: 1) A second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, administered at least 12 weeks after your initial dose of AZ 2) A second dose of an mRNA vaccine (the current ones in use being the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines), also administered at 12 weeks after your initial dose of AZ. Purpose of this Communication: To give you more information about your choices and to help you make an informed decision based on the most current information available. A Second Dose of AstraZeneca Rationale: The majority of existing medical evidence on current COVID-19 vaccines is generally based on studies of 2 doses of the same vaccine. This evidence has established the efficacy and safety data that is often quoted by health care providers. This data continues to evolve with real-world use of the vaccines. Timing: The second dose of AstraZeneca should be given at least 12 weeks after the first dose, as this seems to provide a much better immune response than after shorter dose intervals. Benefits (after a 2 dose series): Protection from severe illness and hospitalization: 100% AstraZeneca seems to offer some specific protection against the B.117 variant, which is currently the predominant strain circulating in Ontario. Risks: • VITT Risk: • AstraZeneca is no longer being used for FIRST DOSE in Canada due to the risk of VITT (Vaccine-induced Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia) - ie “blood clots”. • At the time of your first vaccinations, this risk was believed to be around 1 in 1million cases. • As of May 7th, the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table estimates this risk to be around 1:55,000 which, although still very low, is considerably higher than first believed as more information has come forward. • The risk of VITT following a SECOND DOSE of AstraZeneca is believed to be LOWER, around 1:600,000 • It is important to remember that this number can also change (higher or lower) as more information is learned • An important consideration is that although VITT is RARE, it is also SERIOUS - the case fatality rate (ie chances of dying) or risk of serious outcomes if VITT is diagnosed is high • NACI estimates the case fatality rate at 25-40%, although this may decrease over time with increased awareness A Second Dose of Pfizer or Moderna: Rationale: “Mixing and matching” of COVID-19 vaccines is believed to offer several advantages, including the development of different types of antibodies which theoretically boosts the immune system. NACI claims that preliminary evidence suggests this is the case with this approach. We have lots of experience mixing vaccines as part of Ontario’s Immunization Program - for illnesses like influenza, hepatitis A and others - so the concept is not new. Timing: Ontario announced on June 3rd that people who received a first dose of AstraZeneca will be eligible to book their second dose with an mRNA vaccine using the provincial booking system starting the week of June 7th Benefits: The efficacy data of a second dose of an mRNA vaccine following a first dose of AstraZeneca is currently under study. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Spanish study found those who had an initial dose of AstraZeneca vaccine and got a second shot of Pfizer had an increase in antibodies that were 30 to 40 times higher than in a control group who only received one AstraZeneca dose. Safety: Preliminary data from studies in Germany and Spain suggests that this combination is SAFE. Pfizer and Moderna have NOT been associated with a risk of VITT. Risks: There is a possibility of increased short-term side effects when using mixed COVID-19 vaccine schedules, including headache, fatigue and feeling generally ill (NACI). • They are more likely with a shorter dose interval (ie 4 weeks). • In Ontario, this interval will obviously be longer than this as >8 weeks have already passed since your first doses. • These side effects are MILD, and NOT-SEVERE, and resolve with time and without complication. Several studies on the efficacy of this “mix and match” approach are ongoing, including a larger one in the United Kingdom. We do not yet have the final data from these studies to review. More information is expected later this month. How to Book a Second Doses: • AstraZeneca: • Staring June 15 2021, dedicated evening clinics (5-8pm) at the Evinrude Vaccination Clinic will be providing second doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to patients of this pilot project ONLY. • We will communicate further details shortly, once they are finalized. • mRNA Vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) - Second dose after First dose of AstraZeneca: • mRNA Vaccines are available at Public Health operated Mass Immunization Clinics, booked through the Provincial Booking System. They are also available at some participating pharmacies. • Staring June 7 2021, you are eligible to book an appointment for second dose mRNA vaccine, if it has been at least 12 weeks since your first dose of AstraZeneca. • If you choose to receive a second dose mRNA vaccine, please use the provincial booking system to arrange this by either: • Phone: Call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 to book a second dose mRNA Vaccine. • Online at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine • You may also contact your pharmacy to see if they offer Pfizer or Moderna. Important information about Covid-19 and Covid-19 vaccines: • Peterboroughpublichealth.ca • Covid-19.ontario.ca • Covid-19 vaccines for Ontario • COVID-19 vaccine safety. • COVID-19 What you need to know before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment • COVID-19 About Vaccines. • What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in Canada. • How do vaccines work • How are vaccines developed? • Manufacturing, safety and quality control of vaccines. • The facts about COVID-19 Vaccines. First Nations health Authority. General COVID-19 Vaccine Information It is understandable that many Medical Centre patients are interested to have access to the latest information about Covid-19 vaccine availability and distribution relative to the Greater Peterborough region. While the Medical Centre and its clinicians are closely monitoring developments pertaining to Covid-19 availability and distribution, we feel that the best current source of up-to-date public information on this topic is available through the Peterborough Public Health website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or by clicking this link "Covid-19 Vaccine". If you have questions about the Covid-19 vaccine which are not specifically addressed by the information on the Peterborough Public Health website you may also contact a Peterborough Public Health representative at 705-743-1000. As Covid-19 vaccine related information specific to The Medical Centre becomes available, appropriate updates will be added to this area of our website. --> Peterborough Family Health Team Ministry of Health Health Unit Scent Policy Copyright 2001 – 2011 All Rights Reserved. About Us Careers News & Events Services FAQs Find Us Useful Links