COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy for KFL&A

 INVISTA Centre MNP Rink in Kingston

Clinic Approach: Mass immunization clinic

Vaccine Ready: Pfizer and Moderna

Anticipated clinic start date: March 1, 2021

Anticipated clinic hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Regular operating days (can increase with need): 7

Number of people vaccinated per day (maximum when vaccine available): 2,880

Number of people vaccinated per week: 20,160

Target Priority Groups Phase 1

• health care workers identified as the high priority level in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)
• Adults 80 years of age and older

Target Priority Groups Phase 2

• older adults, beginning with those 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout
• people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings (for example, shelters, community living)
• frontline essential workers

 Kingston Community Health Centre 

Clinic Approach: On-site clinic

Vaccine Ready: Pfizer and Moderna

Anticipated clinic start date: March 8, 2021

Anticipated clinic hours: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday 1 to 8 p.m.

Regular operating days (can increase with need): 5

Number of people vaccinated per day (maximum when vaccine available): 576

Number of people vaccinated per week: 4,032

Target Priority Groups Phase 1

• all Indigenous adults

• health care workers identified as the high priority level in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)

• adults 80 years of age and older

Target Priority Groups Phase 2

• older adults, beginning with those 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout

• people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings (e.g., shelters, community living)

 Strathcona Paper Centre Napanee 

Vaccine Ready: Pfizer and Moderna

Anticipated clinic start date: March 15, 2021

Anticipated clinic hours:

Regular operating days (can increase with need): 6

Number of people vaccinated per day (maximum when vaccine available): 2,160

Number of people vaccinated per week: 15,120

Target Priority Groups Phase 1

• adults 80 years of age and older
• health care workers identified as the high priority level in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)
• all Indigenous adults

Target Priority Groups Phase 2

• older adults, beginning with those 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout

• people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings (e.g., shelters, community living)

• frontline essential workers

 Rural Remote Family Health Team

(rotating site - Addington Highlands, North/Central Frontenac)

Vaccine Ready: Pfizer and Moderna

Anticipated clinic start date: Late March 2021

Anticipated clinic hours: Variable

Regular operating days (can increase with need): 1

Number of people vaccinated per day (maximum when vaccine available): 576

Number of people vaccinated per week: 576 

Target Priority Groups Phase 1

• adults 80 years of age and older
• staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g., assisted living)
• health care workers identified as the high priority level in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF) 
• all Indigenous adults

Target Priority Groups Phase 2

• older adults, beginning with those 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout
• people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings (e.g., shelters, community living) 
• frontline essential workers

 Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Vaccine Ready: Pfizer and Moderna

Anticipated clinic start date: January 2021

Anticipated clinic hours: 

Regular operating days (can increase with need): To be determined

Number of people vaccinated per day (maximum when vaccine available): 790

Number of people vaccinated per week: 

Target Priority Groups Phase 1

• alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors

• health care workers identified as highest priority, followed by very high priority, in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)

• Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (on-reserve and urban)

Target Priority Groups Phase 2

• To be determined

 Targeted mobile clinics 

Vaccine Ready: Moderna and others

Anticipated clinic start date: January 2021

Anticipated clinic hours: not applicable

Regular operating days (can increase with need): Scheduled

Number of people vaccinated per day (maximum when vaccine available): Variable (~180)

Number of people vaccinated per week: Contingent on number of facilities

Target Priority Groups Phase 1

• staff, essential caregivers and any residents that have not yet received a first dose in:
  • long-term care homes
  • high-risk retirement homes
  • First Nations elder care homes

• staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (for example, assisted living)

• adult recipients of chronic home care

Target Priority Groups Phase 2

•  Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers 
• other populations and communities facing barriers related to the determinants of health across Ontario who are at greater COVID-19 risk

What is the three phase vaccine distribution plan?

The government of Ontario is rolling out a three-phased vaccine distribution implementation plan. Following a successful pilot, Ontario is continuing with the next stage of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

There are currently two vaccines approved for use in Canada:

• Pfizer-BioNTech – approved on December 9, 2020
• Moderna – approved on December 23, 2020

There are 19 sites in Ontario administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. These sites are primarily hospitals in urban areas. 

The Moderna vaccine is easier to transport and store safely compared to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Because of this, Ontario plans to administer this vaccine in long-term care homes, congregate care settings, and rural and remote locations. 

What is vaccine efficacy?

Vaccine efficacy compares the rate of disease between vaccinated and unvaccinated people under ideal and controlled conditions. A vaccine efficacy of 90 percent means that under the same conditions as the study, there would be a 90 percent reduction in the number of cases you would expect if people had not been vaccinated.

For example, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 95 percent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 illness in those who received two doses of the vaccine, based on studies of about 44,000 participants. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 94.1 percent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 illness in those who received two doses of the vaccine, based on studies of about 30,000 participants.

Vaccine efficacy is different than vaccine effectiveness, which looks at how well a vaccine protects people under real-world conditions, outside of clinical trials.

For specific questions related to vaccine efficacy or clinical trials, please contact the manufacturer directly.

• Pfizer
• Moderna

Why should I get vaccinated if many people survive COVID-19?

COVID-19 can be a serious illness for many people. For some people, symptoms can last for months. Those people are called long haulers. The virus can even damage the heart, brain, lungs and increase the risk of long-term health problems. Even young, healthy people can feel unwell for weeks to months following the COVID-19 infection.

The short-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are less than the risk and potential long-term health damages caused by the COVID-19 virus.

By getting your vaccine, you are also contributing to community immunity. When most of the population is vaccinated, it helps to prevent the spread of illness to those who are too young, or unable to receive the vaccine or who don’t develop full immunity. When illnesses are very contagious, the number of people in a population required to be vaccinated to reach community immunity is higher.

Who can receive the vaccine right now?

There will be a limited supply of vaccine in the first few months of the vaccine rollout. The government of Ontario is prioritizing those who are at greatest risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19, and those who care for them. 

The groups receiving early vaccine doses will include:

• Residents, staff, essential caregivers, and other employees of congregate living settings that provide care for seniors;
• Health care workers, including hospital employees, staff who work or study in hospitals and other health care personnel;
• Adults in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, including remote communities; and
• Adult recipients of chronic home health care.

Each group will be specifically identified and notified in advance to plan for vaccination.

Over time, vaccine supply will increase so that all Ontarians who wish to be immunized will have access to a vaccine.

Visit the Government of Ontario's website for up-to-date information on the vaccine and implementation phases.

Is the vaccine safe? 

Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses like COVID-19. 

Creating a new vaccine can take years. However, the development of vaccines for COVID-19 is progressing quickly for many reasons, including:

• advances in science and technology
• international collaboration among scientists, health professionals, researchers, industry and governments
• increased dedicated funding

Only vaccines that are proven safe, effective, and of high quality will be approved for use in Canada.

Can you get the coronavirus from the COVID-19 vaccine?

Will the COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive?

No, the vaccine won’t cause you to test positive on a COVID-19 viral test, such as the PCR or antigen tests. However, you may test positive for the antibody test, due to developing an immune response.

Are there precautions with the COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with allergies?

The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain eggs, gelatin, preservatives or antibiotics.

People with allergies to any vaccine ingredients listed below should not take this vaccine.

Individuals who have had a suspected hypersensitivity or have had an immediate allergic reaction to the following should not get either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine unless they have been evaluated by an allergist-immunologist:

• a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
• any components of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine including polyethylene glycol (PEG)
  • This ingredient is in both vaccines
  • It can also be found in laxatives, makeup, skin care products, personal lubricants, toothpastes, and some contact lenses. It is also in cough syrup, and in some food and drinks.
• polysorbate due to potential cross-reactive hypersensitivity with the vaccine ingredient PEG

If you are unsure of the ingredients you are allergic to, talk to a health care provider.

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Ingredients:

• mRNA (medicinal ingredient)
• ALC-0315 = (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
• ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N, N-ditetradecylacetamide
• 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
• dibasic sodium phosphate dehydrate
• monobasic potassium phosphate

Moderna Vaccine Ingredients:

• mRNA (medicinal ingredient)
• 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)
• acetic acid, cholesterol, lipid SM-102
• PEG2000DMG1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol,methoxy-polyethyleneglycol
• tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride
• sodium acetate, sucrose, and water for injection

What are Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and how do I find out more about them?

An adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is an unwanted or unexpected change in health that happens after someone receives a vaccine, which may or may not be caused by the vaccine. Adverse events are rare and typically non-serious, however, unusual or severe reactions and may require immediate medical attention. If you experience an adverse event, contact your health care provider. Health care professionals are required to report these adverse events to public health. Public health investigates AEFIs and provide support to individuals, families, and clinic staff.

Health Canada publishes AEFI data related to the approved COVID-19 vaccines.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is responsible for a no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program, offering financial support to those have who have experience serious permanent injury after receiving an authorized vaccine.

If I had a reaction to a different vaccine in the past, can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past. They will look at your medical records and help you make the decision.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines? 

Like all vaccines, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines can cause side effects. Most of the side effects that followed vaccine administration in clinical trials were mild or moderate. They included pain at the injection site, body chills, feeling tired and feeling feverish. 

These are common side effects of vaccines and do not pose a risk to health.

As with all vaccines, there's a chance that there will be a serious side effect such as an allergic reaction, but these are rare. 

Report to your health care provider if you have any unusual symptoms after receiving the vaccine. Unusual symptoms may include:

• A high fever (greater than 40°C).
• An allergic reaction (rash, hives, itching, throat swelling, difficulty swallowing/breathing).
• Severe vomiting, diarrhea and/or headache.
• Reactions that are severe or require visit to a doctor or hospitalization.
• Reactions that do not go away after a few days.

If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still have to follow public health measures?

The vaccine is an additional way to protect yourself against COVID-19. However after either dose of the COVID-19 vaccine you should continue to follow public health measures like wearing a face covering, physical distancing, and washing hands often. Continue to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if symptoms develop. 

More research is being done to determine how long the vaccine protection lasts, and if it will prevent others around you from getting sick with COVID-19. 

How do mRNA vaccines work?

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are messenger RNA vaccines, also called mRNA vaccines. mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. They teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

mRNA vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19 infection as they do not contain any live or weakened COVID-19 virus.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines do not affect, interact or alter DNA in any way. Our DNA resides in the nucleus of our cells and the mRNA does not travel into the nucleus. Therefore, there is no risk of altering DNA. It uses the body’s natural defense response which breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA after it is finished using the harmless genetic instructions.

Should I get the vaccine if I have previously had COVID-19?

Some people may have had COVID-19 and recovered. It is still recommended that they get vaccinated. There is some evidence to suggest that natural immunity from a COVID-19 illness may not last very long. It is best to get vaccinated to stay protected.

I just got vaccinated for something else. Can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine now?

You should wait 14 days before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine if you have had another type of vaccine.

After receiving your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should not receive any other vaccines for 28 days. If for some reason you need another vaccine within 28 days, discuss this with your doctor or health care provider. 

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or chestfeeding

Pregnant and breastfeeding or chestfeeding individuals were excluded from the Phase III trials for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently available. Due to this, there is no data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating individuals, or the effects of mRNA vaccines on the breastfed/chestfed infant or milk production.

Pregnancy

Individuals who are pregnant may choose to receive the vaccine after informed counselling by their healthcare provider.

• During this counselling, your healthcare provider can discuss:
  • the risks and benefits of the vaccine
  • risks and potential consequences of a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy
  • the lack of sufficient evidence on the use of current COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy
• If after this counselling, the pregnant individual feels that the potential benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential harms, they may take the vaccine.

Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines. Based on their mechanism of action and what we know about other vaccines and breastfeeding or chestfeeding, it is not believed that that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are a risk to the breastfeeding infant.
Individuals who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding may take the vaccine after recognizing that there is currently insufficient evidence for the use of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in the breastfeeding and chestfeeding population.

If I develop COVID-19 symptoms after getting the vaccine, what should I do?

Some of the side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are similar to symptoms of COVID-19. These include: tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, diarrhea, chills and/or fever. If your symptoms are severe or unusual, contact your health care professional.

If your symptoms started more than three days after you were vaccinated, or your symptoms have lasted for more than two days, then you should get tested for COVID-19. You may have been exposed to COVID-19 before you were vaccinated. The vaccine cannot infect you with COVID-19.

How is the COVID-19 vaccine given?

Is the COVID-19 vaccine effective against the new strains of the virus?

Will the COVID-19 vaccine stop the spread of the virus, or will it decrease the severity of the virus if I get infected? 

After I receive the initial two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, will I have to be vaccinated every year?