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Kawartha residents now have expanded access to COVID-19 antiviral treatment courtesy of efforts by Ontario Health, in collaboration with the province and health care partners, to ensure more eligible patients are assessed and accessing medications.
“For higher-risk patients, it is important to be assessed and begin treatment within the first few days of showing symptoms. By having multiple points of access, more Ontarians can benefit from these treatments,” stated Dr. Chris Simpson, Executive Vice President (Medical), Ontario Health.
The following higher-risk groups are eligible to be tested and assessed for antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, in Ontario:
• over 18 years old and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
• aged 70 and over
• aged 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses
• aged 18 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one risk condition including chronic
medical conditions
Health care providers may also determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for patients based on individual circumstances even if they do not belong to one of the groups listed.
Anyone who is eligible for an assessment is now also eligible for a PCR test at any testing centre in Ontario.
Ontario has also made it easier for eligible individuals with a prescription to access antivirals by expanding dispensing locations to include participating pharmacies across the province. A list of pharmacies that are dispensing Paxlovid is available at Ontario.ca/antivirals. The list will be updated as the list of participating pharmacies expands.
Treatment for antivirals must be started within five days of symptoms in most cases. Anyone who thinks they might be at higher risk of serious illness and has COVID-19 symptoms should contact their primary care provider or visit a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre. Individuals are also encouraged to call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health are working with health system partners and health care providers to also prioritize groups that may be at increased risk due to other health-related factors and barriers to health care including First Nation, Inuit and Me´tis individuals, Black individuals and members of other racialized communities. Health care providers may also determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for patients based on individual circumstances even if they do not belong to one of the groups listed above.
These treatments are an important tool to protect against serious illness due to COVID-19, but they are not substitutes for vaccines which is currently the best defence against the virus.
