Coronavirus Update #15

Dear patients,

As of August 18th, all children born in 2009 or later are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of whether their 12th birthday has passed yet. Walk in appointments may be available at certain Public Health clinics or participating pharmacies.

There has been some discussion recently about whether or not third doses will be required. At this time, certain high risk groups will be offered third doses to provide additional protection. Third doses are not yet available at Halton Region Public Health Clinics. High risk groups include the following:

• 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 (ie. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab)

• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges

For transplant recipients, patients with hematological cancer,s and recipients of an anti-CD20 agent, there is a minimum 8-week interval between the second dose and the third dose.

For residents of long-term care homes, high risk retirement homes there is a minimum 5 month delay after the second dose.

Dr Archibald & Dr Priestner