Public Health Sudbury & Districts is offering several convenient opportunities in the Sudbury & Manitoulin districts this week to help you get your COVID-19 vaccine. Don’t delay. Get your first and second dose as soon as possible and your third dose if you are eligible.
Vaccination opportunities for the week of April 4
More opportunities may be added throughout the week. For regular updates, follow us on social media @PublicHealthSD (Facebook, Twitter). Visit us online for up-to-date clinic details, including the clinic times and mRNA vaccine brand that is planned at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
Tuesday, April 5
Appointment and walk-in clinics
Carmichael Arena, Greater Sudbury
Freshwater Community Church, Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island
Foodland, Noëlville (mobile bus clinic)
Wednesday, April 6
Appointment and walk-in clinics
Charles C. McLean Public School, Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island
Southridge Mall, Greater Sudbury
Walk-in clinics
St. Stanislas Church, Copper Cliff (mobile bus clinic)
Thursday, April 7
Appointment and walk-in clinics
Carmichael Arena, Greater Sudbury
Lansdowne Public School, Greater Sudbury
S. Geiger Public School, Massey
Walk-in clinics
Ryan Heights Playground, Greater Sudbury (mobile bus clinic)
Friday, April 8
Appointment and walk-in clinics
Dowling Leisure Centre, 79 Main Street West, Dowling
Falconbridge Community Centre, Falconbridge (mobile bus clinic)
Southridge Mall, Greater Sudbury
Saturday, April 9
Appointment and walk-in clinics
Dr. Edgar Leclair Community Centre and Arena, Azilda
Walk-in clinics
1099 Marcus Drive, Greater Sudbury (mobile bus clinic)
Sensory-friendly service
Sensory-friendly is a service for individuals who require accommodations for sensory sensitivities during immunization.
How it works: Sensory-friendly services may include a private immunization station at one of our mass clinics where lights can be dimmed, noise kept to a minimum, and extra time allotted for the appointment. Alternatively, vaccine-to-vehicle service can be provided within a vehicle at the parking lot of a mass clinic as an alternative for those requiring sensory accommodations.
How to book: Appointments can only be booked by phone through the local call centre at 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505). The call centre is open Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and is closed on statutory holidays. Booking online is not available.
Vaccine-to-vehicle service
Vaccine-to-vehicle is a service available at select mass immunization clinics. This service is available for individuals who are unable to receive their vaccine within a clinic setting for reasons such as sensory sensitivities, decreased mobility, or other health concerns.
How it works: An immunizer will come outside to the parking lot to provide the vaccine to individuals in their vehicle.
How to book: Appointments can only be booked by phone through the local call centre at 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505). The call centre is open Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and is closed on statutory holidays. Booking online is not available.
Please note that during extreme weather or extreme cold that your appointment may be rebooked to ensure everyone’s safety.
Pharmacies and primary care
With many pharmacies and primary care providers providing COVID-19 vaccination, there are even more options available to get your first or second dose locally, every week. Visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations (Government of Ontario) for a list of pharmacies in Ontario offering COVID-19 vaccination and for booking information or contact your primary care provider.
Questions about vaccination
Whether you have questions about getting your first, second, or third dose of vaccine or you have questions about youth vaccination, our clinic immunizers as well as our call centre staff can help answer your questions. Your health care provider is also a trusted source of reliable and credible information. Choosing vaccination is a choice and everyone deserves to have the information they need to be well informed.
Vaccine brands offered and supplies
All Public Health clinics offer one of two mRNA vaccine brands—either Moderna Spikevax or the pediatric and adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty. A reminder that for those 30 and older, the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax vaccines can be safely interchanged. Based on vaccine supplies, the vaccine brand planned for use at any clinic is subject to change, possibly with limited notice. We encourage you to ask our immunizers for more information to help you make an informed decision and feel comfortable about getting either vaccine brand. To learn which mRNA vaccine brands are planned for our clinics, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
Currently, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax) are the preferred COVID-19 vaccine options for the primary series and booster doses administered at all Public Health clinics. However, Public Health also keeps a limited supply of the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), a non-mRNA vaccine. Other non-mRNA vaccines, such as Novavax, are not yet available at Public Health clinics.
Appointments can be booked for a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine by calling 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505) and providing a representative with your name and contact information. A representative will call you back to schedule an appointment once enough individuals have requested to receive a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines
First dose eligibility
Individuals five years of age and older can receive a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty pediatric dose (10 micrograms) is approved for children 5 years of age and older. Children 5 to 11 years of age must wait at least 14 days before or after receiving another vaccine prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (30 micrograms) is approved for youth who are 12 years and older.
The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty is preferentially recommended for individuals aged 18 to 29 years old and the only approved vaccine for youth aged 12 to 17.
Everyone aged 29 and over can receive either Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax. These 2 mRNA vaccines can be safely interchanged.
Second dose eligibility
Children aged 5 to 11 who received their first pediatric dose of Pfizer-BioNTech more than 8 weeks ago.
Youth aged 12 years and older who received their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine more than 56 days (8 weeks) ago.
Anyone who received their first dose of Moderna Spikevax vaccine more than 56 days (8 weeks) ago.
People who received AstraZeneca Vaxzevria 56 days ago (at least 8 weeks) and who would like to get an mRNA vaccine.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and Ontario Ministry of Health recommend an optimal interval of 8 weeks (56 days) between first and second doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax). According to NACI, there is emerging evidence that longer intervals between the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines result in more robust and durable immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness. Public Health will administer second doses 8 weeks (56 days) following administration of a first dose, with limited exceptions.
Third dose eligibility
The Government of Ontario recommends a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of a primary vaccine series (meaning 3 doses are needed for full immunity) for the following individuals:
Booster dose eligibility
The Government of Ontario recommends a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to restore protection that may have decreased over time to a level for the following individuals:
Individuals 18 years of age and older who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Individuals 12 to 17 years of age who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months (168 days) or 3 months (84 days) with informed consent.
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults 18 years of age and older including non-Indigenous household members, who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Eligible health care workers 18 years of age and older who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks) (see details at ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics).
Individuals who received 2 doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Individuals who received 1 dose of the Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Vulnerable older adults in congregate settings who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks) (see details at ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics).
Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who are eligible for a three dose primary series may receive a booster dose (a fourth dose) 6 month (168 days, 24 weeks) after their third dose.
In addition, as of 8 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17.
Anyone eligible for a second or third dose can book an appointment as soon as they are eligible. To book online, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505), between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. For a list of scheduled clinics, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.
Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment
All vaccination clinics have COVID-safety measures in place. You must not attend a clinic if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are in isolation due to a COVID-19 exposure.
Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or your health card is expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, Status card, or birth certificate.
Eat and drink something before you arrive at your appointment to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
Do not show up until 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
When possible, please limit the number of support people attending a vaccination clinic to one person.
Dress for the weather, you may have to wait in line if you plan on attending a walk-in clinic.
Wear a top that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt.
Wear a medical mask that covers your nose, mouth, and chin. If you do not have a medical mask, pediatric and adult medical masks will be available at the entrance to the clinic.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not attend the clinic.
For more information or if you have questions, please talk to trusted sources such as Public Health immunizers at COVID-19 vaccine clinics, health care providers, and pharmacists, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
The Canadian government says it will donate up to 200,000 vaccine doses to fight the mpox outbreak in Congo and other African countries.
It says the donated doses of Imvamune will come from Canada’s existing supply and will not affect the country’s preparedness for mpox cases in this country.
Minister of Health Mark Holland says the donation “will help to protect those in the most affected regions of Africa and will help prevent further spread of the virus.”
Dr. Madhukar Pai, Canada research chair in epidemiology and global health, says although the donation is welcome, it is a very small portion of the estimated 10 million vaccine doses needed to control the outbreak.
Vaccine donations from wealthier countries have only recently started arriving in Africa, almost a month after the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
A few days after the declaration in August, Global Affairs Canada announced a contribution of $1 million for mpox surveillance, diagnostic tools, research and community awareness in Africa.
On Thursday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said mpox is still on the rise and that testing rates are “insufficient” across the continent.
Jason Kindrachuk, Canada research chair in emerging viruses at the University of Manitoba, said donating vaccines, in addition to supporting surveillance and diagnostic tests, is “massively important.”
But Kindrachuk, who has worked on the ground in Congo during the epidemic, also said that the international response to the mpox outbreak is “better late than never (but) better never late.”
“It would have been fantastic for us globally to not be in this position by having provided doses a much, much longer time prior than when we are,” he said, noting that the outbreak of clade I mpox in Congo started in early 2023.
Clade II mpox, endemic in regions of West Africa, came to the world’s attention even earlier — in 2022 — as that strain of virus spread to other countries, including Canada.
Two doses are recommended for mpox vaccination, so the donation may only benefit 100,000 people, Pai said.
Pai questioned whether Canada is contributing enough, as the federal government hasn’t said what percentage of its mpox vaccine stockpile it is donating.
“Small donations are simply not going to help end this crisis. We need to show greater solidarity and support,” he said in an email.
“That is the biggest lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic — our collective safety is tied with that of other nations.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia government says it could be months before it reveals how many people are on the wait-list for a family doctor.
The head of the province’s health authority told reporters Wednesday that the government won’t release updated data until the 160,000 people who were on the wait-list in June are contacted to verify whether they still need primary care.
Karen Oldfield said Nova Scotia Health is working on validating the primary care wait-list data before posting new numbers, and that work may take a matter of months. The most recent public wait-list figures are from June 1, when 160,234 people, or about 16 per cent of the population, were on it.
“It’s going to take time to make 160,000 calls,” Oldfield said. “We are not talking weeks, we are talking months.”
The interim CEO and president of Nova Scotia Health said people on the list are being asked where they live, whether they still need a family doctor, and to give an update on their health.
A spokesperson with the province’s Health Department says the government and its health authority are “working hard” to turn the wait-list registry into a useful tool, adding that the data will be shared once it is validated.
Nova Scotia’s NDP are calling on Premier Tim Houston to immediately release statistics on how many people are looking for a family doctor. On Tuesday, the NDP introduced a bill that would require the health minister to make the number public every month.
“It is unacceptable for the list to be more than three months out of date,” NDP Leader Claudia Chender said Tuesday.
Chender said releasing this data regularly is vital so Nova Scotians can track the government’s progress on its main 2021 campaign promise: fixing health care.
The number of people in need of a family doctor has more than doubled between the 2021 summer election campaign and June 2024. Since September 2021 about 300 doctors have been added to the provincial health system, the Health Department said.
“We’ll know if Tim Houston is keeping his 2021 election promise to fix health care when Nova Scotians are attached to primary care,” Chender said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador‘s chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says that so far this year, the province has recorded 230 confirmed cases of the vaccine-preventable respiratory tract infection, also known as pertussis.
Late last month, Quebec reported more than 11,000 cases during the same time period, while Ontario counted 470 cases, well above the five-year average of 98. In Quebec, the majority of patients are between the ages of 10 and 14.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick has declared a whooping cough outbreak across the province. A total of 141 cases were reported by last month, exceeding the five-year average of 34.
The disease can lead to severe complications among vulnerable populations including infants, who are at the highest risk of suffering from complications like pneumonia and seizures. Symptoms may start with a runny nose, mild fever and cough, then progress to severe coughing accompanied by a distinctive “whooping” sound during inhalation.
“The public, especially pregnant people and those in close contact with infants, are encouraged to be aware of symptoms related to pertussis and to ensure vaccinations are up to date,” Newfoundland and Labrador’s Health Department said in a statement.
Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics, but vaccination is the most effective way to control the spread of the disease. As a result, the province has expanded immunization efforts this school year. While booster doses are already offered in Grade 9, the vaccine is now being offered to Grade 8 students as well.
Public health officials say whooping cough is a cyclical disease that increases every two to five or six years.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick’s acting chief medical officer of health expects the current case count to get worse before tapering off.
A rise in whooping cough cases has also been reported in the United States and elsewhere. The Pan American Health Organization issued an alert in July encouraging countries to ramp up their surveillance and vaccination coverage.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
