Changes to COVID-19 vaccine administration at Huron Perth Public Health – Yahoo News Canada

In January 2024, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) will shift its COVID-19 vaccine program and specifically focus on providing COVID-19 vaccinations for youth aged 11 and under at their clinics.

Weve been proud to work with pharmacists and local healthcare providers this fall to ensure residents of Huron-Perth had access to COVID-19 vaccinations, says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. While pharmacists and participating healthcare providers will continue to provide COVID-19 XBB vaccinations in the community, HPPH will focus on ensuring access to youth aged 11 and under.

Children are a priority population that may also require a series of vaccine doses to be protected, notes a spokesperson from HPPH, In addition, access to pediatric vaccination may be more limited (e.g., less access through pharmacies because they may not vaccinate children under age 5). Thus, the health unit needs to maintain this service throughout the respiratory season to ensure that children are able to access and complete their vaccine series.

The response to COVID-19 has begun to be incorporated into regular public health work, including the discontinuation of one-time COVID funding from the provincial government. Because of this, the health unit says they will not have the capacity to continue to offer as many COVID-19 vaccine clinics in 2024 as years past.

This fall in Ontario, 75 percent of COVID-19 vaccine administration has happened through pharmacies, said an HPPH spokesperson, Vaccines will continue to be available through participating pharmacies and primary care providers. Improving access is one effective strategy to increase vaccine uptake; where there are barriers, vaccination rates may be lower.

HPPH is urging community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19, and according to the HPPH Respiratory Activity 2023-2024 dashboard, there were 51 cases of COVID-19 reported and four cases of influenza reported in the last week of November. In addition, there were 12 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and one hospitalization due to flu. Sadly, since the start of the respiratory season, seven residents of Huron and Perth have died due to COVID-19.

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The holiday season has begun, says Dr. Klassen. Please protect yourselves and your loved ones by getting vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, if eligible. Note that at this time in Ontario, only residents of long-term care homes and some retirement homes are eligible for RSV vaccine. Its not too late to get your vaccines to protect your families and communities and enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.

Residents can reduce their risk and their loved ones risk by staying up to date on vaccines and using other means of protection:

1. Wearing a tight-fitted, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings for anyone at the highest risk of severe infection and when in healthcare settings/places with mask policies.

2. Staying home when you are sick and wearing a mask until day ten from symptom onset

3. Washing hands often

4. Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze

5. Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces

6. Optimizing indoor air quality

7. If you are at high risk, speak with your healthcare provider about antiviral treatment options.

Amanda Modaragamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Stratford Times

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Changes to COVID-19 vaccine administration at Huron Perth Public Health - Yahoo News Canada