COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy for KFL&A
Goal
vaccinate all KFL&A residents who want and can have the COVID-19 vaccine by early August 2021.
KFL&A Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy builds on Ontario’s three-phased vaccine distribution plan and relies on the detailed planning, coordination, and collaboration of multiple stakeholders and partners working together to roll out the largest immunization response in history.
As COVID-19 vaccines become widely available (dependent on the province’s allocation of vaccine), the type of clinic, as well as clinic coordination, will shift to ensure efficient and sustained vaccination across the region.
The foundation of the KFL&A Vaccination Strategy is comprised many partners coming together from across our communities.
KFL&A Public Health continues to build our relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in our region. We are committed to renewing the relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.
Communication Strategy
KFL&A Public Health will maintain public confidence and maximize vaccine acceptance by providing timely, responsive, and transparent communication and education outreach to partners and the broader community.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy Diagram for KFL&A Region - PDF
Vaccine clinic sites
INVISTA Centre MNP Rink in Kingston |
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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 |
Kingston Community Health Centre |
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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 |
Strathcona Paper Centre Napanee |
| Clinic Approach: Mass immunization clinic
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 |
Rural Remote Family Health Team(rotating site - Addington Highlands, North/Central Frontenac) |
| Clinic Approach: Rural mass immunization clinic
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 |
Kingston Health Sciences Centre |
| Clinic Approach: Hospital based clinic
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: |
Targeted mobile clinics |
| Clinic Approach: Mobile clinic
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 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the three phase vaccine distribution plan? |
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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. |
What is vaccine efficacy? |
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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. |
Why should I get vaccinated if many people survive COVID-19? |
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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. |
Is the vaccine safe? |
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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:
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? |
| No. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are not live vaccines and do not contain the virus. Therefore, the vaccine cannot give you infection or disease. |
Will the COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive? |
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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? |
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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:
If you are unsure of the ingredients you are allergic to, talk to a health care provider. Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Ingredients:
Moderna Vaccine Ingredients:
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What are Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and how do I find out more about them? |
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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? |
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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? |
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All 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:
COVID-19 vaccine after care information sheets
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If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still have to follow public health measures? |
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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? |
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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? |
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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? |
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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 |
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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. PregnancyIndividuals who are pregnant may choose to receive the vaccine after informed counselling by their healthcare provider.
Breastfeeding and ChestfeedingCOVID-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. Resources
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If I develop COVID-19 symptoms after getting the vaccine, what should I do? |
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Some of the side effects of the vaccines are similar to symptoms of COVID-19. These include: tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, and fever.
If your symptoms are severe or unusual, contact your health care provider or call 911 if seriously unwell. 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? |
| The vaccine is provided in 2 doses by a needle in the upper arm. You should get the first dose as soon as possible and your second dose in 16 weeks – instructions will be provided to you. |
Is the COVID-19 vaccine effective against the new strains of the virus? |
| Currently, experts believe the vaccine will work with the new strain. There is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine will not be effective against the new strain, however this is currently being explored through studies. |
Will the COVID-19 vaccine stop the spread of the virus, or will it decrease the severity of the virus if I get infected? |
| Yes, the vaccines are very effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms in people who get it. It is not known if you can still give the infection to someone that has not been immunized if you have been exposed to the virus. |