Special COVID-19 vaccination clinic for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding is taking place October 26, 2021, in Greater Sudbury

Are you pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding? Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? A special walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic is taking place on Tuesday, October 26, at the Main Public Library (74 Mackenzie Street) in Greater Sudbury from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Public Health Sudbury & Districts staff will be available to answer any questions you may have and can provide additional support and resources related to healthy pregnancies and post-natal care.

If you are not in Greater Sudbury and you are looking for a vaccination clinic, you can attend the following upcoming clinics in any of our district areas which will also have resources related to healthy pregnancies and post-natal care:

• Chapleau: Public Health Sudbury & Districts Chapleau office (by appointment only, please call 705.860.9200)
• Espanola: Wednesday, October 27, Espanola Mall (storefront inside the mall), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Little Current: Thursday, October 28, Little Current Public School, 4 to 6 p.m.
• Markstay: Thursday, October 28, Markstay Pentecostal Church, 3 to 6 p.m.

If you are unable to attend a special clinic next week, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals are also welcome to attend any Public Health Sudbury & Districts clinic or any opportunity at participating pharmacies or primary care offices.

New research shows that mRNA vaccines are the preferred vaccine to use in pregnancy. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a complete two-dose vaccine series with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax) for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) supports vaccination at any stage of pregnancy or while breastfeeding if no medical concern exists. This is because a COVID-19 infection at any stage in pregnancy can be severe.

When making your decision to get vaccinated, it is important to look to trusted sources of information such as the Ministry of Health and Health Canada for up to date and accurate information. Per the Better Outcomes Registry Network (BORN), between December 14, 2020 and June 30, 2021 over 13,604 babies were born in Ontario to women fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The vaccine is safe and effective and will protect both pregnant individuals and infants from severe illness due to COVID-19. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, please reach out to Public Health, a local pharmacy, or your health care provider.

For a list of COVID-19 vaccination opportunities, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics. Visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for a list of participating pharmacy locations in Ontario and their booking information. Some primary care providers also offer vaccination against COVID-19.

For more information or if you have questions, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19. Keep connected with our Facebook and Twitter pages or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).