SECOND VAX DOSES
Thousands more now eligible for MRNA shot
Thousands more local residents will be eligible for their second COVID-19 vaccine dose ahead of schedule, the local health unit has announced.
Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, anyone who received a first dose of an MRNA vaccine — either Pfizer-biontech or Moderna — on or before May 9 can book an appointment for their second dose. Until now, the cutoff for second doses has been April 18.
The eligibility expansion comes one day after Ontario's government announced the same change would take effect provincewide starting on Monday morning, meaning second dose booking in Windsor-essex will expand a few days ahead of other regions.
Based on data from the Windsor-essex County Health Unit's website, approximately 60,000 area residents received their first vaccine dose between April 18 and May 9. Since not all residents already eligible for their second dose have received one, those who have not yet secured an appointment will be competing for what's available with the large newly eligible group.
“Don't freak out even if you can't book the appointment right away,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed on Friday. “There will be plenty of vaccines, there will be plenty of opportunities — not just the mass vaccination clinics.
“You will have access through your pharmacy, you will have access through your primary care providers. Do not panic. Be patient, and everyone will get the vaccine.”
Astrazeneca recipients are still allowed to book their second dose appointment eight weeks after receiving their first dose. Despite new guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization stating MRNA vaccines are now the “preferred” second dose for Astrazeneca recipients, Ahmed said anyone who's already had two Astrazeneca doses is considered fully protected and does not need to seek a third shot of either Pfizer-biontech or Moderna.
So far, more than 73 per cent of Windsor-essex adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 30 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated.
Residents' willingness to roll up their sleeves and to continue to follow public health measures have contributed to yet another drop in COVID-19 cases. Data Ahmed presented Friday showed key pandemic indicators are all showing significant improvements for Windsor-essex.
As of Friday morning, only 56 local COVID-19 cases were active, including the four cases reported that day. The weekly case rate had dropped to roughly 13 per 100,000 population, down from about 23 cases per 100,000 people last week. Only a month ago, that rate was a much higher with 65 cases per 100,000 people, and at its peak it was more than 350 cases per 100,000.
“It's a great feeling and a testament to all the work our community is doing in adhering to the guidelines,” said health unit CEO Theresa Marentette.
“I think we've all done our part to come to this point and I hope it continues.”
While the vaccine rollout is going well, there's still room for improvement, Ahmed said. Youth age 12 to 17 who have been eligible for their first shot since May 23, have the lowest vaccine coverage locally at 43 per cent. Next lowest is the 25 to 29 age group with 55 per cent at least partially vaccinated, followed by the 18 to 24 age group at nearly 60 per cent. From there, vaccine coverage increases as the age bands do, with 95 per cent of residents age 80 and older inoculated.
“We need a high vaccination coverage rate to keep our community going, to keep our economy going,” Ahmed said. “Anyone who's still contemplating receiving your first dose of the vaccine, please get it to make sure that you continue to do your part and to keep your community and also your family protected.”
Ahmed encouraged parents to watch a video posted to the health unit's Youtube channel in which he addresses the concerns of other parents who participated in a recorded question period with him earlier this month.
Starting Monday, residents will be able to attend a new mass vaccination site being established in the former Sears building at Devonshire Mall. The clinic operating at the University of Windsor's Windsor Hall downtown — the former Windsor Star building at Pitt and Ferry streets — will officially close on Saturday. The St. Clair College Sportsplex vaccination centre will close about a month later, on July 22.
To book an appointment for a first or second COVID-19 vaccine dose at a mass vaccination site in Windsor-essex, visit wevax. ca. Those unable to book online can call 226-773-2200. First and second doses are also available at 66 participating area pharmacies — the list of which is available on the health unit's website — as well as at select primary care provider offices.