No images? Click here MEMO: Out of Province and Out of Country VaccinationsTO: Pharmacy and Health Care Practitioners FROM: Niagara Region Public Health REFERENCE: Out of Province and Out of Country Vaccinations DATE: Sept. 15, 2021 In Canada, four COVID-19 vaccines have been reviewed and authorized for use by Health Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). Some of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in other countries have been reviewed by the World Health Organization and added to their emergency list, some are under review by the WHO and others have not been submitted for review. As vaccine effectiveness for non-Health Canada approved vaccines may vary, a different approach was considered for those individuals who are planning to stay in Canada for longer periods of time to live, work or study in order to receive optimal protection. FULLY VACCINATED DEFINITION New Ontario guidance released, defines fully vaccinated as:
RECOMMENDATION Individuals who have either started or completed their COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Canada with a vaccine not currently authorized by Health Canada should be offered one additional dose of an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine soon after arrival in Canada. This will be considered a complete series and will provide optimal protection. The minimum interval between the preceding dose and the additional dose should be 28 days. If they have already received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, no additional doses should be offered at this time. PROOF OF VACCINATION Proof of immunization is required to verify the COVID-19 vaccine product was received outside of Canada. Individuals may present either a proof of vaccination certificate or immunization record. Individuals who have received a partial or complete COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Ontario or Canada should contact Niagara Region Public Health to have their COVID-19 vaccine immunization record documented in COvax by visiting our online portal: Online COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting for Out of Province Records If the COVID-19 vaccine product used for a previous dose remains unknown, a new vaccine series should be started with a Health Canada authorized COVID-19 vaccine. FEDERAL QUARANTINE UPON ARRIVAL NOTE: Quarantine exemption only applies to those who have received Health Canada approved vaccines. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you still need a full series of an accepted Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine or combination of accepted vaccines. If you’ve only had one dose of an accepted vaccine other than Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), you do not qualify for the fully vaccinated federal traveler exemption. ACCESS TO VACCINE RECORD As of Sept. 22, 2021 you will need to provide proof of vaccination to access certain businesses and venues. To obtain a copy of your vaccine record you can print or download your vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal. Those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt including those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. |