McCormick Care Group – COVID-19 Update

Friday, August 20, 2021

This is a McCormick Care Group – COVID-19 Update for Friday, August 20, 2021.  

We have received further direction and clarification from the Middlesex-London Health Unit around the administration of third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for residents of McCormick Home.

Why are third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being offered to residents of long-term care homes?

• The potential impact of the Delta variant in elderly populations who live in congregate settings is significant, particularly in the context of emerging evidence suggesting a reduced immune response and a more rapid waning of antibody responses in this population. The hope is that a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will boost the primary series and protect these residents from infections and outbreaks.
  

When should the third dose be provided?

• The recommended interval for residents of long-term care homes is at least five months (or 20 weeks) after the second dose.

We are planning to administer third doses of the vaccine on Friday, August 27, 2021.  To be eligible for this vaccination clinic, residents would have had to receive their second dose on or before April 9, 2021.  All of our residents prior to this date received the Pfizer vaccine, which we have been notified the home can obtain.

If you would like to have your loved one receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please e-mail Tanya Pol as soon as possible at tpol@mccormickcare.ca.  If your loved one is eligible and we have not heard from you by Monday morning, a member of the nursing team will call you to obtain verbal consent over the phone.  Please do not call the floors with this information, as they are not assisting with the preparations for this rollout.  Thank you in advance.

Have a great weekend!

Tanya Pol,
Administrator