MEMO: Vaccinating Eligible Patients with a Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine TO: Health Care Professionals in the Niagara region FROM: Pandemic Response Division, Niagara Region Public Health REFERENCE: Vaccinating Eligible Patients with a Third Dose of COVID-19
Vaccine DATE: August 31, 2021
On August 17, the province announced that select individuals at the highest-risk of COVID-19 will be eligible to receive a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals eligible to receive a third dose include - 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); and Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges
Interval for Third Doses - Transplant recipients, patients with hematological cancers on active treatments, and
recipients of an anti-CD20 agent can receive their third dose at a minimum of eight weeks following their second dose
- Residents in high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges can receive their third dose at a minimum of five months following their second dose
Process for Vaccinating Eligible Individuals Hospitals through their specialty clinics are responsible to take the lead in vaccinating
eligible persons for third doses. In most cases, this means the hospital will directly provide eligible persons with their third dose In some cases, patients may be referred elsewhere for a third dose. In Niagara, these patients may receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic or at Niagara Health’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the St. Catharines hospital site Currently, the provincial booking system does not allow for third dose bookings; however, all clinic locations accept walk-ins Patients referred to a vaccination clinic for their third dose must be provided with a medical letter to present at the clinic that states the condition that makes them eligible for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. A medical letter from the patient’s pharmacist specifying the medication that makes them eligible to receive a third dose is also acceptable at Niagara Region Public Health Clinics. The medical letter must include - Date and on letterhead
- Contact information for the clinic, physician, specialist or medical practice of individual completing the form
- Patient’s name (typed/generic letters will not be accepted)
- Patient’s eligible condition (or medication) for third dose
- If you are administering the COVID-19 vaccine at your office, you may also provide third doses to your eligible patients
- Eligible patients should not be given a third dose, or referred to a vaccination clinic, until they meet the time intervals for a third dose
as specified above
More Information - Call the COVID-19 Primary Care Info-Line at 905-688-8248 (press 7, then 1 for physicians). The info-line is open Monday to Friday, 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
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