COVID-19 Updated Guidance

Ontario announced that the next phase of measures is being eased on February 17, 2022 at 12:01. Please see the news release for details.

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Public Health Ontario Resources for Health Care Providers

COVID-19 Transmission through Short and Long-Range Respiratory Particles | February 2022
Mask-wearing in Children and COVID-19…What We Know So Far | February 4, 2022

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Ontario Expansion of COVID-19 Booster Dose Eligibility for Youth 12-17

As of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17, 168 days (~6 months) from the last dose in their primary series. Children must be age 12 on the day of their appointment.

How Youth can Access a Booster Dose:

Book an appointment or walk-in to the TBDHU CLE Coliseum building
Select pharmacies and local health care providers administering the Pfizer vaccine
Neighbourhood popup clinics (see tbdhu.com/covidclinics for dates and locations)
Sensory friendly appointments at TBDHU Thunder Bay office. Booking is at tbdhu.com/covidclinics under “Appointments for Individuals Requiring Accommodations”

District Opportunities

Book an appointment through the provincial booking system
Walk-in district community clinics starting in March (see tbdhu.com/districtvaccines for dates and locations)
Select pharmacies and local health care providers administering the Pfizer vaccine
Accommodations (i.e. in-home, sensory friendly) can be discussed by contacting local TBDHU office

Resources for vaccinating children 12-17, including information on consent for this age group as well as clinical considerations, can be found at KidsHealthFirst (for Providers).

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NACI Statement on Vaccination Timing Post-Infection

NACI has released new guidance on timing of COVID-19 vaccination post-infection.

Full statement: NACI Rapid Response: Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination timing for individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Published February 4, 2022).
Summary statement: Summary of NACI Rapid Response of February 4, 2022

The Ontario Ministry of Health is updating the Provincial guidance in response to this new recommendation. Guidance is forthcoming and will be shared once available.

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Reminder: COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemption Expiry

When submitting exemptions, please provide a date in which the medical condition will be re-evaluated, before 6 months have passed. Exemptions in COVax with no specified expiry date are set to automatically expire in 6 months.

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Reminder: Returning Expired Routine Vaccines

When returning expired routine vaccines, please include the Non-Reusable Vaccine Return Form. You can either attach it to the bag or email it to vaccineorders@tbdhu.com.

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COVID-19 Testing in Thunder Bay

Free At-Home Rapid Test Kits

Ontarians can now get a free rapid testing kit for at-home use. Starting February 9th, Ontario is distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests each week for eight weeks through pharmacy and grocery locations across the province, as well as through community partners in vulnerable communities. Over 2,300 participating grocery and pharmacy locations will provide tests while supplies last, with a limit of one box of five tests per household.

Locations can be found on the Ontario website: Rapid testing for at-home use

Note: Ontario guidance supports off label use of Rapid Antigen Tests including nasal swabbing over nasal pharyngeal. The science table indicates that users may choose to perform a combined oral and nasal sampling as it may increase sensitivity. See Ontario Health: How to Collect a Sample and TBDHU’s COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Information for Families for more information on rapid testing technique and process in Thunder Bay.

Canada Health Labs (Edgewater) Testing Site Closing February 18

Friday, February 18th will be the last day for this assessment site. It will be open for regular hours (9am to 3pm) all this week.

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Community Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

TBDHU is hosting several pop-up clinics throughout February in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities (i.e. Kakabeka Falls, etc.). These clinics are open to anyone 5 years of age or older needing any dose of COVID-19 vaccine. All clinics are by walk-in; no appointments are needed.

Clinic dates and locations are posted at tbdhu.com/covidclinics under the “Community Pop-up Clinics” tab. Please refer clients if you think these clinics may be a better option for their situation.

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School Vaccinations Returning in March

TBDHU will resume school-based vaccine clinics in March. This includes clinics for Grade 7/8 students at six schools which were cancelled in late fall 2021 (Sherbrooke, McKellar Park, Kingsway, Pope John Paul II, E.Q. Jennings and Bishop Gallagher) as well as all high schools. Consent packages will be sent home and information will be updated at tbdhu.com/schoolimmunizations including clinic dates once established. In addition, appointments will soon be available at the TBDHU CLE Coliseum clinic for school-based immunizations. Appointments will be available through an online link and will be offered during operational hours. More information will be shared, including the link, once available.

District school clinics will be returning in April.

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Thunder Bay District Health Unit · 999 Balmoral Street · Thunder Bay, On P7B 6E7 · Canada

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