Lambton Public Health Expands Third Dose Eligibility to Vulnerable Populations

Point Edward, ON – Lambton Public Health (LPH) is expanding eligibility for third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to additional groups that face the highest risk of serious illness from the virus.

This decision was recently made by the Ontario Government in consultation with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) latest evidence and recommendations. A complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series provides strong protection against COVID-19, and the Delta variant, in the general population. However, for some vulnerable populations, a third dose may be required to provide an improved immune response.

“It is important these vulnerable groups are immunized quickly and efficiently to provide them with a higher level of protection,” said Dr. Christopher Greensmith, Acting MOH for the County of Lambton. “LPH is removing as many barriers to this as possible, but proof of your medical condition is required at our clinics. Speak to your primary care physician or specialist about the timing of your third dose and ensure you bring a referral form or letter to your appointment."

You may register for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you have one of the following highest-risk health conditions:

• Individuals receiving active treatment (e.g. chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for solid tumor or hematologic malignancies. Active treatment includes patients who have completed treatment within 3 months. 
• Recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy.
• Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy).
• Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
• Individuals with Stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
• Individuals receiving active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22), high-dose systemic corticosteroids (refer to the CIG for suggested definition of high dose steroids), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive. Active treatment for patients receiving B-cell depleting therapy includes patients who have completed treatment within 12 months.

Third doses may be scheduled a minimum of eight weeks (56 days) after the date of an individual's second dose. To verify the date of your second dose please visit https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/ and sign in using your green photo health card.

Eligible individuals are asked to Register for their third dose online or contact the Vaccine Call Centre at 226-254-8222, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please note: Proof of the medical condition is required when you attend your vaccination appointment at the clinic (i.e. a referral form, letter from a specialist or primary care provider with your full name and medical condition).

Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges are also now eligible to receive a third dose, a minimum of five months after their second dose. Residents of these facilities will be given vaccinations onsite and do not need to book an appointment. Please remember, for a retirement home to be deemed “high-risk” it must be directly attached to a long-term care home facility.

For the latest updates on Lambton County’s COVID-19 Immunization Rollout please visit GetTheVaccine.ca.

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LPH Media Inquiries