Hasting and Prince Edward Counties/June 18, 2021 –

Do your part to stop the spread and end the pandemic

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is continuing to offer vaccines to local residents as quickly as possible as the province announced that eligibility for second doses will expand on Monday. While the majority of our residents aged 18 and older, 73 per cent have now received at least one dose of vaccine, HPEPH is encouraging all those who have not yet received a first dose to book an appointment as soon as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the community.

HPEPH recognizes that some residents may experience challenges accessing a vaccination appointment. In addition to appointments posted on the provincial site, HPEPH is accepting direct bookings for special upcoming clinics – as early as next week. To book an appointment, please visit hpePublichealth.ca/vaccine-booking. These appointments are open to residents who are eligible for either their first or second dose.

“I encourage everyone 12 and older to get their first vaccine as soon as possible, and their second dose when they are eligible,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “All vaccines being administered in HPEC provide protection against COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant, and bring us closer to the end of this pandemic.”

Haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccination? We want to hear from you!

To ensure all members of the community have access to the vaccine, HPEPH wants to learn more about why residents might be unable to book an appointment, or why they might choose not to get vaccinated. If you have not received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccination for either reason, we want to hear from you! Please share your input by completing our short, anonymous survey at https://chkmkt.com/vaccinebarriers.

The survey, which should take no more than five minutes to complete, will help HPEPH understand how we can improve access to and/or available information about COVID-19 vaccination. As a thank you for those who take the time to provide feedback, individuals who participate can choose to provide contact information for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a local store. To participate, the survey must be completed by July 16, 2021.

Accelerated Second Dose Eligibility to Expand Monday

Individuals who are eligible to receive an accelerated second dose are invited to book their appointment through the provincial booking system at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/  or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line number at 1-833-943-3900.

• Starting on Monday, June 21 at 8 a.m. anyone who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
• Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine are now eligible to receive a second dose of AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine at an interval of eight to 12 weeks, with informed consent. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is now recommending that individuals whose first dose was AstraZeneca receive a second dose of an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer and Moderna. Their recommendation is based in part on emerging evidence of a potentially better immune response.

For more information about vaccinations in our region, please visit our vaccine booking and eligibility page, or our vaccine safety and availability page. If you are eligible but do not yet have an appointment booked, please register on our Standby List.

-30-