Updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance and vaccination opportunities offered by Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Advisory Alert

July 11, 2023

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To: Local Health System Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance and availability of COVID-19 vaccine opportunities through summer and early fall 2023.

Effective July 7, 2023, individuals aged 5 and over should consider delaying receipt of a COVID-19 booster until fall 2023. More details about the Ministry’s fall 2023 COVID-19 booster campaign will be announced in the coming weeks and will be shared with you as they are known.

This Advisory Alert provides information on updated vaccine recommendations for primary series vaccines, recommendations for booster doses, and continued vaccination opportunities available through Public Health Sudbury & Districts from July until the start of the 2023 fall respiratory season vaccination campaign.

Recommended COVID-19 vaccine products for initiating or completing a primary series

As supported by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Ministry of Health has provided an interim recommendation for the use of bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or bivalent Moderna Spikevax) to initiate or complete the primary series for all individuals 6 months of age and older. Future recommendations will consider new product options as regulatory decisions are made.

Consistent with NACI recommendations on vaccine interchangeability, regardless of which product is offered to start a primary series, the previous dose should be counted, and the series should be completed with the most appropriate bivalent vaccine product and dose based on client age. The updated COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Guidance document is available on the Ministry of Health website.

Recommendations for COVID-19 booster doses

While individuals seeking booster doses are recommended to wait until fall 2023, those requesting a booster dose for unique health status or personal situations can be provided with the vaccine, with informed consent, if it has been 168 days (recommended) from the previous dose or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Minimum intervals as outlined in the vaccine product monographs may be used at your discretion. The NACI guidance on fall COVID-19 booster recommendations is expected in the coming weeks. Individuals who prefer to receive a booster dose prior to the fall respiratory season are asked to consult with their health care provider before booking an appointment at one of the Public Health-led COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

Current vaccination opportunities through Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Beginning the week of July 10, 2023, only appointment-based COVID-19 vaccination opportunities will be available through Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ office locations for persons starting or completing a COVID-19 vaccine primary series or those requesting booster doses. Individuals may call 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200), between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday to book an appointment. A list of scheduled clinics can be found at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Additional vaccination opportunities may be available based on need in select community locations. Information on additional opportunities that become available over the summer months will be available on the Public Health Sudbury & Districts website as outlined above.

COVID-19 vaccine continues to be available in select pharmacies throughout the Public Health Sudbury & Districts service area. It is recommended that clients contact the pharmacy to confirm the pharmacy’s participation in the COVID-19 vaccine program and to schedule an appointment (if required).

Gearing up for the fall 2023 respiratory season

Your participation in, and support for, the COVID-19 vaccine program is critical as we collectively respond to the ongoing circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as other respiratory diseases preventable by vaccination. Vaccination is a key strategy to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and our health care system from vaccine preventable diseases.

Health care providers are encouraged to visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Communications in a Box webpage for information on how to offer a COVID-19 vaccine to their patient population. If you have questions or require support to implement the COVID-19 vaccine program in your office setting please contact, Cynthia Peacock-Rocca, COVID-19 Operations Manager at roccac@phsd.ca or by calling 705.522.9200, ext. 279 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200).

Thank you for you ongoing support in protecting and promoting health in our communities.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

Dr. Marlene Spruyt, Acting Medical Officer of Health

On behalf of 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 July 11, 2023