Don't expect third doses for the general population anytime soon and SWPH is looking at possibly including vaccination status for new cases and hospitalizations on their dashboard.
Third doses are not currently being offered at the mass vaccination sites in Woodstock and St. Thomas.
The Ministry is very specific about who is eligible for third doses, and it is a very narrow group of people.
Eligible people include anyone with the following conditions:
- Transplant recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants)
- Patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for malignant hematologic disorders
- Recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab)
The province also announced plans for third doses for residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges. Local planning continues for these settings as well.
The Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health Dr. Joyce Lock says there are currently no plans to expand the third doses to other populations.
"Right now there is the competing needs of trying to optimize immunity within our local population, while we have to also ensure that there is sufficient vaccine supply globally for those who really need it. At the moment the third dose is restricted to those seniors and those high risk individuals with immune compromised conditions."
Dr. Lock says the Health Unit is also considering amending the COVID-19 dashboard to break down if people who are hospitalized or getting COVID-19 are fully vaccinated.
"Our Health Unit is looking into providing that degree of information, there are some challenges but if we are able, we are going to do so."
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