Hamilton COVID vaccine clinic reopens

Essential caregivers can get COVID vaccines regardless of whether they actually visit a seniors' home over the course of the pandemic.

It is the latest question about the vaccination rollout as Hamilton's clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences opens back up Wednesday - primarily to give second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

When the province put essential caregivers among those at the front of the line, there was no mention of how often they have to visit the home to qualify, said the city, which operates long-term-care homes Macassa and Wentworth lodges.

There was no direction given to the LTC homes regarding frequency checks on essential caregivers," senior administrator Holly Odoardi said in a statement. The criteria for essential caregivers is dictated by the province for all LTC homes, not specific to Macassa and Wentworth Lodge."

Essential caregivers are defined by the ministry as those performing essential support services such as food delivery, inspectors, maintenance, health-care services or those visiting residents who are very ill or palliative.

Residents can also designate two caregivers who provide direct care.

The immunization of staff and essential caregivers ... can be expected to reduce the incidence of illness caused by COVID-19," states the guidance from the Ministry of Health dated Jan. 18.

It's significant because vaccine shortages have slowed the rollout nationwide and raised questions about whether the most vulnerable are getting protected first.

Second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have been pushed as far out as 35 to 42 days compared to the recommended 21 days. The exception is seniors' home residents, who will get their second dose within 21 to 27 days.

The second dose of the Moderna vaccine is being given out within the recommended 28 days.

Hamilton is aiming for all targeted seniors' home residents to have their second dose by Feb. 21.

Based on the logistics and our vaccine availability ... that is subject to change," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of heath.

Hamilton has administered 20,658 doses as of Feb. 9 - 14,402 at the fixed-site clinic, which shut down Jan. 27 due to vaccine shortages. The remaining were given out by the mobile unit, which travels to seniors' homes.

As of Tuesday, no breakdowns have been provided of who has been vaccinated in Hamilton.

Joanna Frketich is a Hamilton-based reporter covering health for The Spectator. Reach her via email: jfrketich@thespec.com