COVID-19 vaccination update for Renfrew County and District

The RCD COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Committee issued the following release Feb.26:

The Renfrew County and District (RCD) COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Committee is working closely with the RCD COVID-19 Command Table to provide clear, concise, and timely information about administration of COVID-19 vaccines to RCD residents.

Key messages for residents

At this time, the Command Table and Communications Committee would like to emphasize the following key messages for all residents of Renfrew County and District:

• Messaging will be shared from the Communications Committee about who will be next to receive the vaccine through various multi-media channels.
• An online, centralized, vaccine booking system is being set up for all our communities. Once details have been finalized, the prioritized groups will be notified.
• Please refrain from calling your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) about adding your name to a list or inquiring about how to book an appointment. You should, however, contact your primary care provider if you have questions about your personal health status before you receive the vaccine. Alternatively, if you are without a primary care provider, you can contact the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (1-844-727-6404) to consult with a family physician.
• Please be patient during this time, as we understand that the uncertainty of vaccine availability and distribution may be frustrating. Be assured that information on timelines and vaccine roll out will be communicated as it becomes available.

Two priority groups

Please be reminded that the Province of Ontario has provided strict guidelines for vaccine prioritization as part of Phase 1, which will be followed closely across the County. The two priority groups are as follows:

Immediate priority for first-dose vaccination:

• Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes and First Nations elder care homes, and any residents from these settings who have not yet received a first dose of the vaccine.
• Alternative Level of Care (ALC) patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
• Highest Priority health care workers, followed by Very High Priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.

Next priority for first-dose vaccination:

• Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g., assisted living).
• Health care workers in the High Priority Level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
• All Indigenous adults.
• Adult recipients of chronic home care.

The Renfrew County and District (RCD) COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Committee is part of the RCD COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Governance Structure. As outlined in the Vaccine Distribution and Administration Plan (VDAP), the Renfrew County and District COVID-19 Vaccine Command Table is providing overall direction in the preparation, launch and operations of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to move forward, the RCD Communications Committee will release all key information to the public through ongoing multi-media channels. The RCD Communications Committee is comprised of representatives from local hospitals including Arnprior Regional Health (ARH), Deep River and District Hospital (DRRH), Pembroke Regional Hospital, (PRH), Renfrew Victoria Hospital (RVH), and St. Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) in addition to the County of Renfrew, Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC), the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Arnprior and District Family Health Team, and Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU).

Levesque,C.(2021,Feb.26) COVID-19 Vaccination Update for Renfrew County and District [media release]