With more vaccines becoming available, and as the eligibility for the second dose expands, Huron Perth Public Heath wants to remind everyone to make their second dose a priority.
74.4 per cent of Huron-Perth residents aged 16 and up have received their first dose of the vaccine.
In the next few weeks, the region is expected to receive more vaccines, as well as there are plans to add more community vaccination clinics. Both of these are moves in the right direction as it means thousands of Huron Perth residents will be able to receive the second dose sooner than originally anticipated.
If you received Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca as your first dose, you can receive Pfizer or Moderna for a second dose. The two vaccines are interchangeable, so ‘mixing’ is allowed, and you will still gain safe and highly effective protection against COVID-19.
“Whether it’s the same vaccine series, or a mix of two vaccines, being fully vaccinated is extremely valuable. Two doses of vaccine, either from the same vaccine or from a combined Pfizer and Moderna series, provide safe and highly effective protection against the COVID-19 virus and variants, including the highly transmissible Delta variant,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. “I strongly encourage everyone to get their vaccine as soon as possible, and to make their second dose a priority. When there are more fully vaccinated people in our communities, the more protection everyone has from COVID-19.”
All clinics on the HPPH website now show which vaccine is expected to be administered. If you would like to receive a specific vaccine, then book into an HPPH clinic that offers that vaccine. However, due to supply changes, we cannot always guarantee the availability of a specific product. In that case, we will offer an appropriate alternative. You can then decide if you wish to proceed and receive the vaccine.
If you want to rebook into a different clinic, you must first cancel your current appointment. · To cancel your appointment, go to www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking and choose the Click Here to Cancel your Appointment box. You can also call the booking line at 1-833-753-2098; press 2 (two). Please include your first and last name and the date, time, and location of your scheduled appointment.
· We thank all those who are cancelling unneeded appointments to help make these appointments available to others.
How to book an appointment:
· HPPH does not book second dose appointments when you get your first dose. You must book your second dose once you are eligible. · Use the HPPH second dose calculator to find out when you can receive your second dose. · Once you know your earliest appointment date, visit the HPPH booking system at www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking or call 1-833-753-2098 for available clinics.
o If your earliest possible second dose date falls within the date range of an upcoming HPPH clinic, please book an appointment. If clinics are not yet available during the time you are due for your second dose, please check back for future clinics.
o You can also subscribe to the booking webpage to get alerts when new clinics are added.
· If you received your first dose through your primary care provider or at an HPPH community clinic, and are eligible for a shortened dose interval, please go ahead and book at an HPPH community clinic for your second dose.
· Please be patient as large volume of website traffic and call volume can significantly slow down our systems and ability to get back to people quickly.
For more information:
· www.hpph.ca/SecondDose · www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking · Follow us at www.facebook.com/HuronPerthPublicHealth and www.twitter.com/HPPublicHealth
· Call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133
