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COVID-19 vaccine updates for health care professionals

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Halton Region COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Anyone 6 months of age or older (must be 6 months of age or older on the day of vaccination) who lives, works or goes to school in Halton region is eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Vaccinations are available through Halton Region Community Vaccination Clinics. Vaccinations are also available at pharmacies, primary care offices, provincial clinics and other vaccine clinics throughout Halton.

Providing support for COVID-19 immunization

Proactively engage your patients who are eligible for vaccine or will be eligible soon. Encourage them to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. Address any questions or concerns they have about the COVID-19 vaccines.

If you are interested in providing in-office COVID-19 vaccination, please email pharmacists@halton.ca.

Patients should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if they:

  • have a fever;
  • are sick with COVID-19 symptoms;
  • currently have COVID-19; or
  • have been instructed to self-isolate.

People with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications—such as food, pet, venom, environmental, or latex allergies— should get vaccinated. People with a history of allergies to oral medications or a family history of severe allergic reactions may also get vaccinated.

Patients who experience a severe immediate allergic reaction after a first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should consult with an allergist or another appropriate physician before receiving future doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Future doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be received in a controlled setting with someone who is experienced in managing anaphylaxis. The individual should be observed for at least 30 minutes after vaccination. A mass vaccination clinic is not considered a controlled setting.

It is strongly recommended that patients speak with their treating health care provider if they have an autoimmune condition or immunodeficiency condition and are receiving any of the following treatments:

  • stem cell therapy
  • CAR-T therapy
  • chemotherapy
  • immune checkpoint inhibitors
  • monoclonal antibodies (e.g., rituximab) and other targeted agents (e.g., CD4/6 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, etc.)

Patients may choose to consult with their treating health care provider prior to vaccination if they have an autoimmune condition or immunodeficiency condition but are not receiving any of the treatments listed above.

More information can be found from the Provincial guidance for COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance (external PDF).

Pharmacies currently enrolled in the 2020/2021 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) are eligible to be considered for COVID-19 vaccine administration. No new UIIP enrollment will be undertaken at this time.

Final site selection will be determined by the Ministry of Health. Pharmacies will be contacted by the ministry to participate and enroll in the program, including completion of a COVAX Access Agreement, establishing billing policies and procedures, and onboarding of users for the COVAX system.

The COVID-19 in-home vaccination service will help maintain high COVID-19 vaccination coverage for homebound Halton residents, including individuals living in eligible congregate settings in the community.

Eligible residents 12 years of age and older can apply for in-home vaccination appointments if they are unable to be vaccinated outside of their home due to medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial reasons. (Please note: lack of access to transportation does not define an individual as home-bound. Residents with transportation needs should contact 311).

Eligible residents can submit a request for the COVID-19 in-home vaccination service by completing the COVID-19 in-home vaccination service form. The form can be completed by a:

  • eligible Halton resident or substitute decision maker
  • physician or health care provider
  • congregate living administrator

Applications will be reviewed by Halton Region Public Health. Please note this new process is not a rapid referral program. Staff will contact eligible residents within two to four weeks to schedule a vaccination appointment.

Continued education and training/vaccine hesitancy

Halton Region Public Health will continue to offer webinars on the COVID-19 vaccine as needed.

Vaccine Hesitancy

COVID-19 vaccine resources

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