Public Health Sudbury & Districts (PHSD) revealed Monday that the much-anticipated vaccination program for residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes is to begin locally this week.
PHSD is expecting to receive shipments of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over the next two weeks in quantities sufficient to immunize all residents of these facilities in its service area by Feb. 5.
“This is wonderful news for our community, and we are very eager to immunize and protect our most vulnerable citizens,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the PHSD medical officer of health.
“Vaccines are a critical tool in our fight against COVID-19. We look forward to working with our partners on a safe, effective, and efficient round of immunizations.”
Sutcliffe said the announcement removes the concern that arose when Pfizer-BioNTech revealed last week it was stopping production for a week at its plant in Belgium to upgrade the operations there.
“Our worry with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine supply reductions was that we would have to wait longer and so we are thrilled that supplies of the Moderna vaccine are being made available to protect vulnerable people across the province,” said Sutcliffe.
“I would like to thank long-term care homes and community paramedicine for their support in partnering in this truly unprecedented vaccination plan,” she added.
PHSD said it is working closely with community partners to complete the selective vaccinations by Feb. 5 or earlier. PHSD said the vaccine will be offered "to everyone eligible to receive it", on a voluntary basis.
The vaccine is a safe and effective tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the health of everyone, including our most vulnerable, in the community, said the PHSD news release. PHSD said this news follows on the successful vaccination of residents, staff and essential care givers of the Wikwemikong Nursing Home on Jan. 13.
Area long-term care homes will be sequenced over the next two weeks based on vaccine availability, COVID-19 case rates and outbreaks, and other factors such as logistics to avoid vaccine wastage.
The critical need for COVID-19 vaccine to protect our most vulnerable has been further highlighted with several recent outbreaks declared locally. Most recently, PHSD has declared COVID-19 outbreaks at Pius XII Catholic School, following three associated cases, and also at Summit Human Services (group home), a congregate living setting, following the report of one case of COVID-19 in a staff member.
Despite the arrival of the Moderna vaccine, PHSD is reminding everyone to continue to follow public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We must work together by staying apart, staying home, and staying COVID-safe. Continue to screen yourself for symptoms, stay home and do not attend work or school when ill. For essential outings, continue to practise physical distancing, wear your mask, and wash your hands,” said the news release.
On Jan. 12, the Province of Ontario declared a second provincial emergency with a stay-at-home order which is currently still in effect.
Updates about COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, and outbreaks in Greater Sudbury, the District of Sudbury, and the District of Manitoulin are posted online.
Public Health remains committed to providing timely information and resources on our vaccine planning and rollout. For more information or if you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
