The Northwestern Health Unit is now offering select groups their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine early.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says this direction comes from the province with the increase in vaccine supply.
The following groups are eligible to book now:
- All First Nations, Inuit and Metis people and their household members
- Individuals with the following medical conditions:
- Transplant recipients
- Malignant hematological disorders and non-hematologic malignant solid tumours receiving active treatment such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy (excluding those receiving only hormonal or radiation therapy)
- Those undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in the authorized age groups.
- High-risk health care workers as defined here who are not being immunized by their employer
Appointments can be made by phoning the health unit’s hotline at 1-866-468-2240.
As for the general population, there’s a 16-week interval between doses. Those over 18 years and older can book their shots using the online provincial system.
The region’s top doctor expects those 12 to 17 years old should be able to book their appointments for the Pfizer vaccine in early June.
Dr. Young Hoon says they don’t have second dose instructions for those who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. That too is expected to come from the province.
To date, over 38 thousand doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the NWHU catchment area. Fifty-four per cent of those over 18 years old have received their first dose.
