The rollout of COVID vaccines has finally started in North Western Ontario. While information and dates can often be altered at the last minute due to availability, the North Shore Family Health Team looked at how information could be quickly delivered. They contacted the Schreiber Media Centre with the idea of creating a video addressing various concerns surrounding vaccination schedules and more importantly about the safety and delivery dates of the vaccines.

Doctor David Hurst has been a practitioner with the J.E. Stokes medical clinic for the last 30 years and spoke with SMC journalist Kim Krause. He provided some history on the creation of a program focusing on the logistics of rolling out vaccines across a remote area. Dr. Hurst first addressed the safety aspects and the regulations and case history of the creation of a vaccine.

Consideration for the transporting and storage of the Pfizer product to remote areas is a large concern and as such it appears that the Modern vaccine will probably be the choice in smaller communities in the north shore. Prioritizing who gets what and when follows recommended provincial guidelines with seniors in long term health care and medical workers getting their shots first.

Doctor Hurst then went on to address the effectiveness and dosage of the two main vaccines being distributed in the area. Medications for treatment appear more limited as more research goes into producing vaccines for protection as opposed to treatments for patients already infected. Dr. Hurst stressed that this pandemic is a public health issue and that there are risks of spread if contagion is not controlled. The concept of herd immunity implies a large portion of the population would have to develop resistance to the virus but can only occur if enough of the population are vaccinated against COVID 19.

Of course, like any virus, there is the potential for mutation and that leads up to the whole issue of variants. So far none of these variants have been discovered in north western Ontario, but there is always concern over an outbreak of this new strain which appears to be more virulent, spreads easier and quicker, and possibly more threatening to health. There is some hope that current vaccines will still be effective but based on research of the South African mutation, this may prove false and makes it even more critical that we stay vigilant in protecting our selves from contact with others at this time.

Education through reliable sources is one way that people will be able to stay informed and make proper decisions regarding whether or not to receive the vaccination. Dr. Hurst commented on the idea of being able to modify these new type vaccines in case of having to combat more than just one strain. National distribution of vaccines is based on proportion of population which means every province will have different requirements. Actual vaccination will be a fairly easy process as small towns have information and data on all residents and the smaller population helps to reduce the delays and lineups currently restricting larger centres.

Immunity is still unknown as not enough studies have been completed at this time. Post vaccination research will be very important going forward and will determine scheduling of follow up immunizations. Again the emphasis is on personal protection, social distancing and good hygienic practices as a method for remaining healthy going forward.