No images? Click here MEMO: COVID-19 Vaccine Contraindications and Medical ExemptionsTO: Health Care Professionals in the Niagara region FROM: Pandemic Response Division, Niagara Region Public Health REFERENCE: COVID-19 Vaccine Contraindications and Medical Exemptions DATE: August 27, 2021 With the August 17, 2021 provincial announcement outlining COVID-19 vaccination policies are mandatory in high-risk settings, primary care may have some patients reach out requesting a medical exemption. Directive #6 for COVID-19 Vaccination Policy in Health Settings specifies that employees, staff, contractors, volunteers and students in high-risk settings that have a medical reason prohibiting being fully vaccinated must provide written proof from a physician or nurse practitioner. Medical Exemptions to Directive #6 There are two contraindications that would qualify patients for a medical exemption [1] Allergy to a component of the vaccine as confirmed by an allergist/immunologist
[2] Myocarditis/pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA vaccine
Since contraindications to mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) are different to those for viral vector vaccines (AstraZeneca and Janssen), most clients with a contraindication to one platform of vaccines should still be eligible for other, and should be offered vaccine accordingly. (I.e., individuals with anaphylaxis post mRNA vaccine may be offered a viral vector vaccine (e.g. AstraZeneca vaccine) and individuals with anaphylaxis post viral vector vaccine may be offered an mRNA vaccine). Written Proof of a Medical Reason
Policy and Procedures for Patients with a Medical Exemption
Patients Asking for a Medical Exemption Due to Precautions Some patients may ask for a medical exemption if they have a precaution to getting a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g. hypersensitivity and allergies, acute illness, hematologic). These patients are still able to be vaccinated safely and therefore don’t qualify for a medical exemption. Guidance to counsel these patients can be found at:
Non-Medical Exemptions If you have patients that wish to decline vaccination for a non-medical reason, address their vaccine questions and hesitancy using the resources on the vaccine site onboarding webpage. Currently there are no COVID-19 vaccine exemption affidavits for adults. Patients can monitor the province’s vaccination website. More Information As more information becomes available, we will be sure to communicate this with you. |