Renfrew residents set to get second COVID-19 dose in coming weeks

By Dani-Elle Dubé

Renfrew residents in need of their second COVID-19 doses will be notified of when to expect their second poke in the coming weeks.

According to an announcement from the Renfrew Country District Health Unit on Friday, nearly 22,000 residents have gotten their first dose of the vaccine since mid-February — and most of those individuals will be the ones eligible to get their second jab about 16 weeks later.

Th province, in accordance with the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations, increased the COVID-19 dose interval from 21 to 28 days depending on the vaccine type (i.e. Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna), to 16 weeks in order to allow more people to get their first dose in the short term.

“Effective April 15th, vaccination clinics in RCD began booking second dose appointments for individuals upon clinic checkout. For those vaccinated prior to April 15th, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is now actively preparing to electronically roll out second dose vaccination appointments to those who provided their email address as a primary contact method,” the RCDHU said in its announcement. “Those who only provided phone numbers for follow-up will receive their second dose appointment information via telephone.”

The RCDHU said only a small subset of the population, for example those under treatment for uncertain types of cancers, are eligible for the second dose before 16 weeks.

Doctors will notify these individuals and second dose appointments will be scheduled accordingly.

All second dose notifications will start to roll out over the next few weeks as individuals first vaccinated across RCD will be due to get their second dose around the end of May.

Residents do not need to call the health unit or clinic sites — and stressed everyone that is eligible will be notified.

There is also no need to book second dose appointments online.

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