By Haldimand Press Staff
HALDIMAND—While The Press has ceased weekly reports on COVID-19 statistics in the community as the pandemic restrictions eased earlier this year, the disease has remained an ongoing presence in our daily lives.
With the reported rise in viral infections impacting local hospitals, below is a look at how the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts have been progressing this fall season.
According to the most recent HNHU vaccine update, released on November 8, a total of 272,301 doses of vaccination have been administered since the County began their efforts in early 2021.
Of those, HNHU has administered 4,456 pediatric doses, along with 73 doses to an infant.
The report shows that 78.3% of the population above six months in age have received one dose, with that number only dropping to 75.9% for a second dose. Third doses in the over-5 population drops off significantly to 49%, a clear indicator that many in the community have not kept up with their recommended booster shots or gotten a shot of the new bivalent vaccines now widely available.
Since the initial launch of COVID-19 vaccines, multiple new versions of the vaccine been approved and are readily available in Haldimand. This includes pediatric vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and booster shots for children aged 5-11, as well as bivalent vaccines from both companies that are better formulated to protect against newer strains of the virus.
According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI), any of the bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA boosters are “preferred over the original formulation boosters for authorized age groups.”
For those aged 12 and older, public health recommendations set the interval between recommended booster doses at six months. If you have tested positive for COVID, NACI recommends waiting at least three months after infection to get your next dose.
There are several upcoming local opportunities to book a vaccination appointment available through HNHU’s website, including:
Thursday, November 17 – Caledonia Library, 100 Haddington Drive Caledonia, between 11 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, November 23 – Dunnville Health Unit, 117 Forest Street East, 11:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, November 23 – Jarvis Community Centre, 18 James Street, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, November 25 – Caledonia Library, 100 Haddington Street, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (infant and pediatric doses) and 2 to 3:15 p.m. (pediatric and general doses)
HNHU is reporting that Novavax, an alternative vaccine that contains the spike protein of the coronavirus, formulated as a non-disease spreading nanoparticle, is available to interested residents in Haldimand and Norfolk by appointment only. To request Novavax, please contact the Vaccine Hotline at vaccine@hnhss.ca or 519-427-5903.
The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit reminds residents that being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines is the “most effective way to protect yourself from severe COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, including infection with the Omicron variant.” The release added that with the fall season in full swing “and as social activities shift indoors, it is encouraged to protect oneself by getting vaccinated.”
