Updated Provincial Direction – Phase 1 Priority Populations
On Sunday, February 14th, the Province issued a memo directing the sequencing of additional Phase 1 priority populations for COVID-19 vaccination, among other things. The memo was issued to provide direction prior to the expected gradual increase in Ontario’s vaccine supply in the coming weeks.
A positive change in the updated sequencing plan is that adults aged 80 and over (not living in congregate homes for seniors) are now among the priority groups to be offered COVID-19 vaccines as part of Phase 1 of the provincial rollout plan, once supply increases. Previously, older adults were in Phase 2. This is excellent news given older adults are at greater risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. Also included in Phase 1 are highest priority health care workers set out in provincial guidance, residents of congregate care settings for seniors, Indigenous adults, among others.
The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Operations Planning Section is actively assessing the impacts resulting from this updated provincial direction and the team will make any necessary adjustments to local plans, as required. Right now, it is important to note that current vaccine supply does not allow for the immediate vaccination of older adults. More information, including the location of future community clinics and other logistical considerations will be provided at Council at its regular meeting of Wednesday, February 24th.
This week, the focus will be to continue to offer vaccines to other high priority groups, including second doses for workers and caregivers of long-term care homes. For regularly updated vaccination statistics, please consult the Ottawa Public Health Dashboard.
Finally, as our community enters the orange zone provisions of the province’s colour-coded framework, it is essential that we continue to practice public health measures to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.
More than 41,000 doses of vaccines have been administered locally. For regularly updated information on vaccination statistics, please consult Ottawa Public Health’s dashboard.
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