If you are eligible for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, take the first one advises the Health Unit.
"COVID-19 vaccine supply changes and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is not able to guarantee that individuals will receive the same brand of mRNA vaccine for their second dose as their first," says a news release.
Those currently eligible to receive their second dose include:
- 70 years of age and older
- Those who received their first dose on or before April 18.
“According to NACI and the Ministry of Health, mixing and matching doses of COVID-19 is safe and effective,” states Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer Content of Health. “With the spread of new variants of COVID-19 and our local increase in people testing positive for COVID-19, vaccination coupled with physical distancing and frequent handwashing are the best lines of defence.”
The Health Unit says, "Although many of the Health Unit’s vaccine clinics are almost full, we do have openings throughout the end of June and early July. Individuals hoping to get an appointment sooner can sign up on the standby list for clinics that they are able to get to within 30 minutes of being called."
Only names entered on the form after 9 a.m. each day will be included on the list, as the list is cleared on a daily basis. Individuals on the standby list are not guaranteed an appointment, but they can sign up for a clinic standby list another day. The Health Unit is not accepting phone calls to be put on the list and is unable to accommodate walk-ins at this time.
The standby list is available online at www.myhealthunit.ca
People who want to guarantee the brand of mRNA vaccine they receive are encouraged to visit the provincial booking site to find a local pharmacy offering their vaccine brand.
With a majority of Ontario adults having received their first dose of the vaccine, providing a strong level of protection from COVID-19, the province is accelerating eligibility to book a second dose appointment as follows:
- As of Monday, June 21, at 8 a.m., all Ontarians who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
- As of Wednesday, June 23, at 8 a.m., individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30, and who live in the catchment area of one of the 10 public health units identified as Delta hot spots (Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Porcupine, Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, and York public health units) will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
- Starting the week of June 28, (days / sequence to be confirmed) all Ontarians aged 18 and over who have received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at least 28 days after the first dose, per the recommended interval.
