NIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) is continuing to follow the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations guidelines by prioritizing the limited supply of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for individuals under 30. Since late 2021, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine supply has been limited across Ontario. The Health Unit is not aware of when the supply issue will be rectified. Individuals aged 30 and over are being offered the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine when arriving at a vaccine clinic. Moderna vaccine works the same way as the Pfizer vaccine and offers robust and prolonged protection for people in this age category. A mixed vaccine series is safe to receive, and highly effective in preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and its variants. The efficacy of a mixed vaccine series continues to be validated around the world as more international destinations are welcoming travellers with mixed doses. Two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines reduces the risk of hospitalization compared to no doses by 82 percent, and three doses further reduces the risk of transmission and severe illness. “We are at a point where the local COVID-19 situation largely relies on individuals to make responsible decisions, such as receiving all vaccine doses for which you are eligible, limiting your contacts, and isolating appropriately, when you have been exposed or have symptoms of COVID-19,” explains Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. “By getting vaccinated with Moderna now, you are helping to prevent severe illness and caseload in our hospitals.”
COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be booked online at Ontario.ca/BookVaccine, or by calling the Health Unit Call Centre at 1-844-478-1400.
For more information on our local COVID-19 situation, visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.
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Media Inquiries:
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca