Since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination program in Renfrew County and District (RCD) in mid-February, nearly 22,000 residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. For most of those individuals, they will be eligible to receive their second dose of the vaccine approximately 16 weeks after their initial vaccination appointment as per the latest provincial guidance. The province, in accordance with the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI), increased the COVID-19 dose interval from 21 or 28 days depending on vaccine type (i.e., Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Moderna), to 16 weeks in order to allow more individuals to receive their first dose in the short term.
Effective April 15th, vaccination clinics in RCD began booking second dose appointments for individuals upon clinic checkout. For those vaccinated prior to April 15th, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is now actively preparing to electronically roll out second dose vaccination appointments to those who provided their email address as a primary contact method. Those who only provided phone numbers for follow-up will receive their second dose appointment information via telephone.
A small subset of the population, for example those under treatment for certain types of cancers are eligible for the second dose before 16 weeks. Physicians will notify these individuals and second dose appointments will be scheduled accordingly. All second dose notifications will begin to roll out over the next few weeks as individuals vaccinated first across RCD will be due to receive their second dose around the end of May.
RCDHU is reassuring all residents requiring a second dose that they will be notified and DO NOT NEED TO CALL the Health Unit or clinic sites. There is also no requirement to book second dose appointments online.
Thanks to all for their patience as we continue to work towards mass immunization of all eligible residents in our region.
For more information about RCD’s vaccination program, visit RCDHU’s website at www.rcdhu.com.
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