Niagara Health ready to give third COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk patients

Niagara Health will be giving “high risk” residents a third shot of COVID-19 vaccine at health clinics region-wide, starting today (August 31) at the St. Catharines Site as walk-in only between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (closed between 12 and 1 p.m.) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ontario recently announced that third shots could be given to the following that fall into the “high risk” category:

• 
  Transplant recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants)
• Patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for malignant hematologic disorders
• Recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab)
• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations Elder Care Lodges

Eligibility letters are required for third doses and must include:

• Dated and on letterhead
• Contact information for physician, specialist or medical practice of individual completing the form
• Patient’s name (typed/generic letters will not be accepted)
• List of specific criteria required for patient eligibility
• Patient’s eligible condition for third dose

Transplant recipients, patients with hematological cancers on active treatments and recipients of an anti-CD20 agent can receive their third dose at a minimum of eight weeks (56 days) following their second dose and will be contacted directly by their health care provider, such as their primary care provider, specialist or hospital specialty program.

Third doses will be offered to residents of long-term care homes and provincially-designated high-risk retirement homes at a minimum of five months following their second dose and will be co-ordinated through Public Health.

Eligible high-risk populations with eligibility letters can also receive their third dose at any Niagara Region Public Health vaccination clinics.

For more information, please visit https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/vaccination-clinic