COVID-19 Vaccine Update
March 15,2021
The following website is an excellent resource about anything you would like to know about the COVID-19 vaccines.
https://tools.cep.health/tool/covid-19-vaccines/
Our office is not giving COVID-19 vaccines at this point. There is a pilot group of family physician’s offices who have been identified to start giving the Astra Zeneca vaccine. We are NOT one of them. Please do not call our office to register for a vaccine as we are not doing that. If things change, we will let you know.
Starting this week, select pharmacies in Kingston, Toronto and Windsor are booking appointments for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for people born between 1957 and 1961 (age 60 to 64) ONLY, as part of Ontario’s pharmacy pilot. This is because the AstraZeneca vaccine was primarily studied in those under age 65. It is an excellent vaccine and worthwhile to get if you fit into this age group. Here is the link to the locations:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
Many of you over the age of 80 have already received your vaccine - for those who have not, you can use the website below if you live in Toronto.
https://vaccineto.ca/landing
For those over 80 who live outside Toronto, please check the Ontario website below to find your LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT to see what their plans are.
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario
At this point, only the following groups are actively receiving the vaccine:
The next phase of the vaccination which is hoping to begin in April will include more individuals, for example, people under 80 years old and those with chronic medical illnesses. We are expecting increasing numbers of doses of the vaccines in the following weeks and we are hoping that the vaccination program will be accelerated accordingly.
Please try to get vaccinated as soon as possible. ANY vaccine is better than NO vaccine! Any of the available vaccines will protect you against severe disease and death.
March 15,2021
The following website is an excellent resource about anything you would like to know about the COVID-19 vaccines.
https://tools.cep.health/tool/covid-19-vaccines/
Our office is not giving COVID-19 vaccines at this point. There is a pilot group of family physician’s offices who have been identified to start giving the Astra Zeneca vaccine. We are NOT one of them. Please do not call our office to register for a vaccine as we are not doing that. If things change, we will let you know.
Starting this week, select pharmacies in Kingston, Toronto and Windsor are booking appointments for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for people born between 1957 and 1961 (age 60 to 64) ONLY, as part of Ontario’s pharmacy pilot. This is because the AstraZeneca vaccine was primarily studied in those under age 65. It is an excellent vaccine and worthwhile to get if you fit into this age group. Here is the link to the locations:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
Many of you over the age of 80 have already received your vaccine - for those who have not, you can use the website below if you live in Toronto.
https://vaccineto.ca/landing
For those over 80 who live outside Toronto, please check the Ontario website below to find your LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT to see what their plans are.
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario
At this point, only the following groups are actively receiving the vaccine:
- People who are 80 years of age and older (born in 1941 or before)
- Health care workers in priority risk groups Indigenous adults (16 years and older)
- Adults receiving on-going home care.
The next phase of the vaccination which is hoping to begin in April will include more individuals, for example, people under 80 years old and those with chronic medical illnesses. We are expecting increasing numbers of doses of the vaccines in the following weeks and we are hoping that the vaccination program will be accelerated accordingly.
Please try to get vaccinated as soon as possible. ANY vaccine is better than NO vaccine! Any of the available vaccines will protect you against severe disease and death.
Check Out the COVID-19 Self Assessment
School aged kids COVID-19 screening too
Community Resource
https://mcusercontent.com/8c9c68e905c8d76107b3e6194/files/0873952e-0aec-4d62-a130-72988bc5947d/SCOPE_COVID_19_resources_March2020.pdf
Anxiety Assistance during COVID-19
https://mcusercontent.com/8c9c68e905c8d76107b3e6194/files/ca6db6f7-30e4-46ff-afc1-b7af01ce5f5b/COVID_19_Anxiety_handout.pdf
Anxiety Assistance during COVID-19
https://mcusercontent.com/8c9c68e905c8d76107b3e6194/files/ca6db6f7-30e4-46ff-afc1-b7af01ce5f5b/COVID_19_Anxiety_handout.pdf
For more information on COVID-19 and Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Infant Care please download this document from Toronto Public Health
| 8f7a-covid-19-pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-infant-care.pdf |
Ontario College of Family Physicians Infographic
The Government of Canada Infographic
MORE INFORMATION
1. Self assessment tool with integrated link to chat with Nurse Practitioners for sick patients:
For those who develop symptoms that may be consistent with Covid19 infection, a consortium of Toronto hospitals is offering an enhanced evidence based assessment tool. The Covid19toronto.ca online self-assessment tool has recently been enhanced with direct integration to virtual health care providers. This means that if you meet certain criteria, you can connect and chat directly to a health professional that can help guide you and answer your questions. This tool will allow Toronto residents to access personalized guidance based on their individual symptoms. This special access will be reserved generally for those with more significant symptoms or patients considered high risk, as a general guidance. Please share with your families and social networks. My thanks to the many people in our own and other organizations who helped create this.
2. Mental health one point access contact:
If you have mental health issues and needs, our newly formed Ontario Health Team (North York Toronto Health Partners – NYTHP) has organized an integrated hub that coordinates access to mental health phone support and follow-up for those experiencing mental health and addictions challenges during this critical time. This is coordinated through a ONE STOP ACCESS POINT that integrates all available resources in the community, across multiple mental health service providers. Anyone contacting this service will get help from an intake coordinator accessing specific serviced for their particular needs. What they have to offer:
1. Self assessment tool with integrated link to chat with Nurse Practitioners for sick patients:
For those who develop symptoms that may be consistent with Covid19 infection, a consortium of Toronto hospitals is offering an enhanced evidence based assessment tool. The Covid19toronto.ca online self-assessment tool has recently been enhanced with direct integration to virtual health care providers. This means that if you meet certain criteria, you can connect and chat directly to a health professional that can help guide you and answer your questions. This tool will allow Toronto residents to access personalized guidance based on their individual symptoms. This special access will be reserved generally for those with more significant symptoms or patients considered high risk, as a general guidance. Please share with your families and social networks. My thanks to the many people in our own and other organizations who helped create this.
2. Mental health one point access contact:
If you have mental health issues and needs, our newly formed Ontario Health Team (North York Toronto Health Partners – NYTHP) has organized an integrated hub that coordinates access to mental health phone support and follow-up for those experiencing mental health and addictions challenges during this critical time. This is coordinated through a ONE STOP ACCESS POINT that integrates all available resources in the community, across multiple mental health service providers. Anyone contacting this service will get help from an intake coordinator accessing specific serviced for their particular needs. What they have to offer:
- Phone support, service navigation and access to information and resources for mental health and addictions
- Screening for mental health issues using validated tools for depression and anxiety
- Connection to the following services:
- Crisis services
- Follow-up and counselling
- Support programs
- Help with accessing essential services like food, income supports, legal and health supports
- Interpretation services are available.