By Cecilia Nasmith
To hit the ground running once the province issues direction on vaccinating children aged five to 11, T’s are being crossed and I’s are being dotted to reopen mass-immunization clinics.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Natalie Bocking made the announcement at this week's Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit media scrum, adding that the extra capacity would also be good to have in the event that eligibility for third doses is expanded.
The mass-immunization set-up got vaccination rates off to a flying start this spring, with five locations throughout the region. Bringing them back would enable larger numbers of vaccinations more quickly for maximum protection.
“We don't know when these announcements will come, but we do want to be prepared,” Dr. Bocking said.
Several of the previous venues were hockey arenas that are now in use for other purposes, so the same locations will not necessarily be used for a second round of mass-immunization clinics, but options are being explored. Once details are confirmed, announcements will be made and information will be on the health unit website.
Potential locations are in Haliburton County, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Cobourg and a spot in East Northumberland. They would be open primarily weekdays, and would run in conjunction with the clinics being held at schools primarily on weekends (which are not only for staff and students but also for the broader community).
For now, Dr. Bocking said, the application from Pfizer to approve its vaccine for this youngest group is with Health Canada, which has reviewed all the safety data as well as the efficacy data
“From there, the National Advisory Council on Immunizations will issue a statement on its recommended usage of the vaccine for that age group,” she added.
“From there, we will expect the province to issue directions related to the actual roll-out of the vaccine.”
This ramps up from their current mobile targeted strategy, holding pop-up clinics in areas with lower vaccination rates and neighbourhoods that have experienced some barriers in accessing vaccine – essentially taking the vaccine where it is most needed.
The effort comes at a time when flu-shot clinics are beginning, and Dr. Bocking said there might be some potential to offer both at the same site.
“We know it's safe to give both at the same time and, for some people, it might be more convenient to receive both at the same time,” she said. But she also acknowledged logistics challenges to the idea, such as keeping scrupulous track of who gets what shot and working with different provincial databases.
As they wait also for guidance on third doses, Dr. Bocking highlighted another area of concern that must not be forgotten – the fact that some areas of the world have made little to no progress in vaccination efforts. And as long as COVID exists anywhere, she said, it has the potential to mutate into something even stronger and more destructive than the Delta variant.
Dr. Bocking's update always includes the latest HKPR numbers. With only four active cases and no current outbreaks, she gave an incidence rate of 3.7 cases per 100,000 population, “which is lower than what we have seen for quite some time.”
Provincial numbers also continue to trend downward, she added.
Locally, vaccination rates among those aged 12 and up show that 86.2% have had one shot and 82.5% have had two. And the age group among whom the fewest are fully vaccinated is still young adults – of those aged 18 to 29, only 70% have both shots.
Dr. Bocking reiterated the Halloween advice she gave at last week's session – wear the kind of medical mask you wear every day, carry and use hand sanitizer, and keep your distance from others. This means avoiding clustering on doorsteps so a homeowner can admire your costume and not starting those 20-minute conversations on the sidewalk when you see a friend.
Most importantly, she said, call off the trick-or-treating if you or your child does not feel well.
“These core messages will continue throughout the holiday season, whether it be in a parade venue or an outdoor concert or a lighting ceremony,” she said.
“Yes, we seeing much fewer cases, and we would like to keep it that way.”
Dr. Bocking addressed recent provincial initiatives, such as easing restrictions to permit Santa Claus parades – though specific guidance on how organizers might avoid clustering among the crowds has not been issued.
Organizers are surely addressing this issue among other aspects of their planning, she said, expressing confidence in their innovation and creativity to minimize this risk.
“I also think it is up to attendees, when they participate in events, to also do their best to follow all the basic public-health measures,” she added.
Asked if she would take her own children to a Santa Claus Parade, she expressed a willingness to do so – and, once there, to scout out the areas of least crowd concentration for her family to settle in and enjoy this beloved aspect of the season.
Dr. Bocking was also asked for comment on Premier Doug Ford's timeline for phasing out public-health restrictions to the point that they will be gone by March.
“I think the plan is ambitious, and I would love to see our paths follow what has been laid out,” she said.
“We also know realistically we have been surprised before by the coronavirus. There's a number of unknowns that could happen to make it change those plans such as a new variant or a change in vaccine effectiveness or availability.
“If we have learned anything throughout this, nothing is written in stone. But it's nice to have some guidance to look forward to in the future.”
