More people eligible for a 3rd COVID-19 vaccine as the region reports 34 new cases
CBC
New guidance from the province this week means more people in Waterloo region are eligible for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including people who are severely immunocompromised and elderly people who live in high-risk congregate homes.
"A third dose of the vaccine will offer better protection during a fourth wave while the Delta variant is still in circulation," the region said in a release.
People who are eligible because of a medical condition need to have their doctor or specialist fill out a referral form. They include:
People who are severely immunocompromised can get a third dose eight weeks after their second dose. The region has already began administering third doses to people in long-term care and high-risk retirement homes, who are able to get a vaccine five months after their second dose and don't need a referral.
The first third dose was administered in Waterloo region July 15. Since then, 2,695 third doses have been administered.
There were 11 people hospitalized with infectious COVID-19 in Waterloo-Wellington Thursday, and another 12 who were no longer infectious but were still in hospital.
"The overwhelming majority of COVID-19 positive patients in our care are individuals who are either unvaccinated or have received only one dose of the vaccine," said Lee Fairclough, president of St. Mary's General Hospital and Waterloo-Wellington hospital regional lead for the COVID-19 response.
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