Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination

Advisory Alert

March 23, 2021

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To: Local Health System Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Prioritization of Phase 2 populations

This Advisory Alert provides an overview of a new Ministry of Health document entitled COVID-19: Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination (attached).

The approach to sequencing of Phase 2 populations follows a focused strategy that reflects populations at risk under two groupings:

• Those who are considered primary priority:
  • Adults aged 60-79, beginning with those aged 75-79 and decreasing in 5-year increments
  • People with health conditions, starting with highest risk and high-risk health conditions
  • Residents, essential caregivers and staff of high-risk congregate settings
  • Individuals aged 50 and older, in COVID-19 Hot Spot Communities, beginning with older adults and decreasing in age
• Those who are considered secondary priority:
• Remaining individuals with at-risk health conditions
• Workers who cannot work from home, beginning with those in the First Group, followed by those in the Second Group

Vaccination of priority populations in Phase 2 may overlap with Phase1. Phase 1 populations remain eligible during Phase 2.

Role of primary care and pharmacies

In Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, primary care professionals are asked to identify and reach out to eligible recipients with at-risk health conditions and encourage vaccination through education. Pharmacies will also support education and counselling of eligible recipients.

While it is anticipated per provincial announcements that primary care along with local pharmacies will receive vaccine in order to immunize eligible clients, this has yet to be implemented in our area.

Primary care professionals and pharmacies are encouraged to continue partnerships established in Phase 1 and support the ongoing planning and rollout of local vaccine programs throughout the service area as needed.

Next steps and resources

Public Health Sudbury & Districts anticipates clinics for primary priority phase 2 groups will begin next week. Information about how to book appointments will be issued in the coming days.

The Public Health Sudbury & Districts COVID-19 Vaccination Program Playbook (PDF, 4 MB) provides details about the local vaccination plans. For a complete list of resources to support planning and implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination, please review our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Communications in a Box.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer

NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.

This item was last modified on March 23, 2021