Reports

BCHU is hosting multiple pop-up clinics this week, no appointment is necessary.

IMPORTANT: These clinics are for those aged 12+ for both first, second and third doses (for those who qualify). Please bring your health card (OHIP) or any government issued-photo ID (if you do not have an OHIP card) with you to these clinics. Appointments will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. There must be a minimum of 28 days between first and second doses. 

October 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 - Lynden Park Mall, 84 Lynden Rd., Brantford; 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. -Clincs are located by Entrance #4

October 20, 27, 28, 29 - Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St., Paris; 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

October 26 -  Brant Sports Complex, 944 Powerline Rd, Paris; 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  

October 21, 25, 26, 28 - 195 Henry St., Brantford; 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

You are able to download and print your enhanced COVID-19 vaccination certificate through the Province's website. You must have a health card to use this online portal.

Individuals can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have their enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to them. 

For those who do not have access to a computer and/or printer, you can access and print your certificate free of charge at the Brantford Public Library’s Main and St. Paul branches. No appointment necessary.  

Individuals who experience difficulties downloading or saving their enhanced vaccine recipet can visit the Province's website for support. 

Yes; everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination should do so. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those you care about from serious illness. These vaccines work with your immune system to help build up your immunity so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. This can reduce your risk of developing COVID-19 and make your symptoms milder if you do get it.

For more information specific to adults between the ages of 18 and 29, visit our Just Get the Shot webpage.

Based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the province will begin offering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those at highest-risk, providing them with an extra layer of protection against the Delta variant. This includes:

• *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);
• *Recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab);
• *Those undergoing active treatment for solid tumors;
• *Those who are in receipt of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell;
• *Those with moderate or severe primary immunodefinciency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome);
• *Stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
• *Those undergoing active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22), high-dose systemic corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive; and
  
• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges.

COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to many members of our community, but there are still those who have chosen not to receive one.

COVID-19 vaccines remain our most powerful tool in fighting this illness and the best way for all of us to return to normal. You can do your part by being a “vaccine ambassador” for your friends, family and your community.

BCHU has designed a fact sheet to help discuss COVID-19 vaccines with those who may be hesitant about receiving one.

On June 1, 2021 The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated their recommendations on the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines used in Canada.

NACI recommends that:

• If you received AstraZeneca/COVISHEILD as your first dose: Persons who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca/COVIDSHEILD vaccine may receive either AstraZeneca/COVISHEILD vaccine or an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, for their second dose, unless contraindicated.

• If you received an mRNA vaccine as your first dose: Persons who received a first dose of an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna, should be offered the same mRNA vaccine for their second dose. If the same mRNA vaccine is not available or unknown, another mRNA vaccine can be considered interchangeable and should be offered to complete the vaccine series.

It is important to remember that getting the same vaccine for your first and second doses or getting a mixed schedule are both considered safe and acceptable options. Both schedules will count as a full series.

If the same mRNA vaccine is not available due to vaccine supply, you will receive another mRNA vaccine to complete the vaccine series. BCHU will make every effort to provide individuals with the same vaccine that was administered to them for the first dose.

For more information on mixed vaccine schedules, please review NACI’s Interchangeability of Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines.

Effective June 4, 2021 and in alignment with National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommendation, Ontarians who have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can choose to either receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, or an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine for their second dose. Both second-dose options available to individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine are safe and provide strong protection against COVID-19 and will count as a completed series.

For those choosing a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine 

Beginning June 14, 2021, individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine eight weeks ago and who would like their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, can contact the pharmacy or primary care provider where they received their first dose to book an appointment.

For those choosing a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines

Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are opting to receive an mRNA vaccine have the option to schedule their second dose appointment at a participating pharmacy where the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are administered. Primary care settings and pharmacies may also be reaching out to eligible Ontarians.

Effective June 14, Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are opting to receive an mRNA vaccine may book through the BCHU through our Accelerated Second Dose Booking webpage. Please note it must be at least eight weeks from your first dose of AstraZeneca.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Individuals who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine

If you need to cancel or reschedule your existing appointment(s), you can do so:  

• online by using the unique link provided to you in the confirmation email you received when booking your appointment(s);

OR

• by calling the Brant County Health Unit at 519-753-4937 and pressing '2'

We strongly recommend canceling or rescheduling your appointment(s) online. It is done in two simple steps:

Step 1:
You will need to enter your 1) date of birth and 2) email address or phone number used at the time you booked your current appointment(s).

 Step 2:
Select the appointment(s) you want to cancel or reschedule. If you are rescheduling second dose, choose a new available date and time.

Important:
If you cancel your first appointment, the online booking system will also automatically cancel your second vaccination appointment You will receive a cancellation confirmation email stating that both appointments have been cancelled. You will need to book both your first and second appointments again. This is done to ensure the 28-day mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/Moderna) minimum interval remains intact. 

You can reschedule only your second dose appointment. If you choose to do so, you will be offered another available date that is at least 28 days after your first dose appointment.

If you are scheduling an accelerated second dose appointment and have a previously scheduled, 16-week interval, second dose appointment, once a new accelerated second dose date is selected and confirmed, the system will automatically cancel the previous second dose appointment.

Please call the Brant County Health Unit to report side effects to the vaccine that are not considered normal side effects. Our Call Centre staff will collect the details of your symptoms and will forward to a nurse for review. You will only hear back from the nurse if your symptoms are not considered normal and expected side effects after receiving the vaccine. However, if you are concerned about your symptoms, please speak to your family doctor.

It is important to remember that some people may experience side effects from the vaccine, but they will likely be moderate and resolve after a few days. Some of the symptoms are part of the body's response to developing immunity.

For more information see the “COVID-19 vaccine information” expander below. 

Currently, BCHU is using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at its clinics. You will not be able to select between these two vaccines. The Health Unit is not able to notify you which vaccine you will be receiving until your appointment day, as this is dependent on vaccine availability. Learn more about vaccine development and approval in Canada.

You can choose to receive your vaccine at a pharmacy. Please visit the Province's COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine location webpage for more information. Pharmacies are offering the Pfizer-BioNTech (12 years and older) COVID-19 vaccine, and the Moderna (18 years and older) COVID-19 vaccine.

Please note, pharmacy vaccine clinics are not affiliated or administered by BCHU. Individuals looking to make an appointment must contact a participating pharmacy directly for information and support with appointment booking. 

As per provincial guidelines, individuals who have received a partial or complete COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Ontario or Canada should contact their local public health unit to have their COVID-19 immunization record documented into the provincial database, COVaxON.

Ensuring vaccination information is up-to-date and complete will enable individuals to:

• Book a second dose appointment through the provincial booking system, their local public health unit or through participating pharmacies or primary care settings;
• Receive an Ontario vaccination receipt; and
• Share their COVID-19 immunization records with their health care providers.

If you are a resident of Brant and have received your first, second or all doses outside of Ontario or Canada, please contact the Brant County Health Unit by phone at 519-753-4937 ext. 438, or via email COVIDVaccinationEnquiries@bchu.org to provide your name and contact information. A member of our team will contact you as soon as possible to validate and record your information into the provincial database. Proof of immunization is required to verify the COVID-19 vaccine product received.

Please note an in-person appointment may be required to validate your COVID-19 vaccination. If you do not reside in Brant,please contact your respective heath unit for assistance.

Thanks to advances in science and technology, and an unprecedented level of global collaboration, Health Canada authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine on December 9, 2020 ,Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on December 23, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on February 26, 2021 and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine on March 5, 2021. This news comes after a thorough and independent review determined that all vaccines met stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.

The BCHU would like to remind community members to remain vigilant when receiving phone calls, emails or text messages from unfamiliar sources relating to COVID-19 vaccinations.

Please note that BCHU will never ask for your bank or credit card information. The Government of Canada has put together a list of known COVID-19 scams. 

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has developed tips to help protect you from scammers. If you receive an email, text message or phone call from someone you do not know or that you think is fake, here are some things you can do:

• Keep your computer and smartphone safe. Do not click on any links, pictures or documents from people you do not know. Delete them.
• Do not give out personal or financial information.
• Do not be afraid to say no.
• Do not feel pressured. Know you can always hang up the phone.
• Do your research. Find out if the person or company is real.

BCHU, along with our Joint Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) partners, is actively planning to ensure our community is ready to deliver the vaccine when it is available. We are using lessons learned from our experiences from the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009 to inform plans.

All levels of government play important roles in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to residents:

• The federal government is responsible for approving vaccines as safe and effective for use and procuring them;
• The provincial government is responsible for creating a provincial vaccination plan that includes distributing vaccines and supporting health system partners to deliver them to residents, starting with people who are most vulnerable; and
• BCHU, along with other local health units, will promote the importance of the vaccine, distribute certain vaccines and help immunize residents, investigate adverse events following immunization and share data with the province.

The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines were authorized by Health Canada after a thorough and independent review determined they met stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to closely monitor the safety of the vaccine once it is available.

How mRNA vaccines work
MRNA vaccines, like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, tell your body's cells to make "spike proteins." The spike proteins are specific to the virus that causes COVID-19. Your immune system will respond to the spike proteins by making antibodies that will fight off infection. Your new antibodies will break down the spike proteins and get rid of them. Your new antibodies will protect you from symptomatic illness if you are exposed to the COVID-19 virus. It is not known if the vaccine can prevent infection and transmission. The vaccine does not contain the virus and so it cannot give you COVID-19.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been tested in large clinical trials to ensure they have met safety standards, and has been licensed and approved by Health Canada.

How viral vector-based vaccines work
Viral vector-based vaccines, like the AstraZeneca vaccine, use a harmless virus, such as an adenovirus, as a delivery system. This "vector" virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19. Adenoviruses are among the viruses that can cause the common cold. There are many different types of adenoviruses, and many have been used as delivery systems for other vector-based vaccines for decades.

When a person is given the vaccine, the vector virus contained within the vaccine produces the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein will not make you sick. It does its job and goes away.

Through this process, the body is able to build a strong immune response against the spike protein without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Vaccine benefits
Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine is 95 per cent effective against getting COVID-19 symptoms, and two doses of the Moderna vaccine is 94 per cent effective against getting COVID-19 symptoms.

After completing the two-doses of the approved mRNA vaccines, it may take another one to two weeks to achieve maximum protection against COVID-19. At this time, there is no information on the long-term protection with this vaccine.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine showed an effectiveness of about 62 per cent in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease beginning two weeks after the second dose. This effectiveness rate is based on an analysis of results from participants who had received the two dose regimen that will be used in Canada.

There is a small chance that you may still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated. It is important to continue with public health measures such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, and staying home if you are sick. Health care and other staff must still wear personal protective equipment (PPE) even after they have been vaccinated.

Side effects and risks
Some people may experience side effects from the vaccine, but they will likely be moderate and resolve after a few days. Some of the symptoms are part of the body's response to developing immunity.

AEFI: adverse event following immunization
NS: not solicited

In rare cases, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur. Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary. Seek medical attention if you have trouble breathing, have hives or swelling of the face and throat. Vaccine side effects will continue to be monitored as people receive the vaccine. If you get a reaction to the vaccine, contact your health care provider who will report the side effect directly to public health. Public health will keep track of the reported side effects to make sure the vaccine continues to be safe.

Precautions

• Delay getting vaccinated if you have a fever or are sick with COVID-19 symptoms.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women can get the vaccine, as long as they have talked to their healthcare provider.
  

Do not get this vaccine, if you:

• are under 12 years of age* for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, under 18 years of age for the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines;
• have an autoimmune disorder or a weakened immune system due to illness or treatment (unless you have consulted with your healthcare provider about the risk versus benefits); or
• have an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine or had a previous severe reaction to this vaccine (consult your health care provider).
  
  
• *As per directives from the Ministry of Health, the current target population for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is individuals 18 years-of-age and older.

For those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised or those with autoimmune conditions, please refer to these recommendations.

No. mRNA is not able to alter or modify a person's genetic makeup (DNA). The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA does not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA work with the body's natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to disease.

No. A direct connection with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and Bell's palsy, a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis, has not been established. The Pfizer study examined 38,000 patients and found four cases of Bell's palsy among those who received the vaccine, but this is in keeping with the normal observed incidence of Bell's palsy in the population. The COVID-19 vaccine, like all vaccines, continues to be monitored for adverse events.

Even once protected, you can still carry COVID-19 and pass the virus onto others.
Vaccinated or not, all Ontarian's must follow the Province's Roadmap to Reopen.

Yes. After your COVID-19 vaccination, it is important to keep following safety measures. 

Even once protected, you can still carry COVID-19 and pass the virus onto others. After you get a vaccine, continue to:

• Wear a face covering in enclosed public places and on transit
• Practice physical distancing between yourself and people outside your household
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve
• Avoid contact with people who are sick

Please visit the COVID-19 Community Support Finder website for more information.