Taking the confusion out of getting your vaccine
What you need to know about getting your COVID-19 shot
With daily COVID-19 numbers reaching new record highs in Ottawa, residents are anxiously waiting their turn in the vaccination line.
But the vaccine rollout has sometimes been confusing, and its local availability influenced by fluctuating levels of supply. The federal government is responsible for procuring the vaccine supply, while the province decides how to distribute it across Ontario.
In Ottawa, more than 236,000 doses of vaccine have been administered, most commonly the Pfizer vaccine.
Q Where can I book a vaccine?
A Ottawa Public Health (OPH) operates four local vaccination clinics for people aged 60 and older. Those eligible can secure appointments through the online provincial booking system, or by calling 1-833-943-3900 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.
In addition, OPH operates popup clinics in high-priority neighbourhoods for people 60 and older, and those receiving chronic home health care. Eligible residents can call 613-691-5505 to book a vaccine appointment.
The province oversees Ontario's pharmacy vaccination program, which is now reserved for those aged 55 and over, or those who turn 55 this year. The Ontario Ministry of Health publishes a list of participating pharmacies, which can be searched by postal code. It now includes more than 1,400 pharmacies.
Pharmacies are not part of Ontario's central booking system for vaccinations. That means eligible individuals must register with participating local pharmacies, either online or by telephone. Each pharmacy has its own booking system.
In Ottawa, there's an online community continually trading information about what pharmacy has bookings available. Many say that phoning local pharmacies has proven more fruitful than waiting to be notified through online booking systems.
Only the AstraZeneca vaccine is available at pharmacies.
Q What about larger pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart?
A Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw pharmacies are using an online booking system for COVID vaccinations. However, the company says it generally has more demand than vaccine.
“As appointments become available, we are contacting those who have already registered through the online system or via phone for stores with more urgent availability — for example, due to cancellations,” the company said Thursday. “We understand customer frustration with the delays, and we are hopeful that we will be able to get to most registered customers at some point over the next week.”
Q I have already booked or received my first shot, but I'm not scheduled to receive my next dose for months. How come others are receiving their second doses only weeks later?
A The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) makes recommendations for the use of vaccines in Canada. While vaccine manufacturers have advised administering second doses within weeks of the first, NACI in March recommended delaying second doses for up to four months to allow more Canadians to receive their shots. Ontario is following this recommendation, but there are some exemptions for people with underlying health conditions, including those who are immunocompromised, that allow them to receive their second dose within the manufacturer's advised timelines.
Q I'm over 60. Should I book with the city or a pharmacy?
A Individuals have to assess their own situations. The main advantage of using the city to book a vaccination is that it has access to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, in addition to AstraZeneca. The main benefit of using a pharmacy is that an earlier time slot may be available. The pharmacies only have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Q What is the issue with AstraZeneca?
A There have been 222 reports of blood clots arising out of 34 million administered doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Health Canada continues to stand by its approval of AstraZeneca and says Canadians should be warned there's a one-in-250,000 risk of blood clots in connection with the vaccine.
Health experts say people need to consider risk carefully, and understand that COVID-19 poses vastly more risk than the vaccines, including AstraZeneca.
Earl Brown, University of Ottawa professor emeritus of virology, said the side-effects of AstraZeneca “appear real, but very rare.”
“We have other drugs, like the birth control pill, that clots at a pretty high rate — one in 1,000 — and we live with the complications of aspirin and ibuprofen,” he said. “But when vaccines come along, people are really nervous about any side-effect.”
University of Toronto medical professor Isaac Bogoch, an infectious-disease specialist and a member of Ontario's vaccination task force, called the AstraZeneca situation unfortunate. He said Ontario has a lot of AstraZeneca vaccine on hand, and as a result should consider broadening eligibility and expanding distribution to include primary caregivers. “It's pretty clear why the uptake of AstraZeneca is slow,” he said in a Twitter feed Thursday. “There have been some preventable and perhaps less preventable communications (and policy?) issues at various levels.”
Q Is there any danger that recent Moderna supply problems will affect vaccination bookings in Ottawa?
A Canada has experienced recent delays in the delivery of the Moderna vaccine, affecting hundreds of thousands of doses. The delays led to the postponement of thousands of scheduled vaccine appointments in the Toronto area this week. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called the situation a “logistical nightmare.”
The City of Ottawa, however, said Thursday it has not yet been forced to cancel any vaccine appointments.
“At this time, all appointments are being honoured and the city has not had to cancel any vaccine appointments due to the current vaccine supply,” said Anthony Di Monte, general manager of emergency and protective services.
“The city is aware of delays to our vaccine shipments, and is currently working with the province to develop contingency plans. If there is any impact on residents, we will communicate as soon as possible.”