McCormick Care Group – COVID-19 Update
Friday, December 31, 2021
This is a McCormick Care Group COVID-19 Update for Friday, December 31, 2021.
On December 30, 2021, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, for the province of Ontario held a news conference to announce new measures based on the emerging Omicron situation, including fourth doses for long-term care residents and mandatory third doses for LTC staff, essential caregivers, and general visitors once the temporary pause on general visits is lifted. Read the news release here and watch the news conference here.
Offering Fourth Doses to Long-Term Care Residents
Based on the recommendations from the Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee, effective immediately the province will be making fourth doses of mRNA vaccines available to residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and other congregate care settings if at least three months, or 84 days, have passed since their third dose. The majority of our residents have received their 3rd dose on August 27, 2021 and we will begin to coordinate 4th doses as soon as possible. If you wish to have your loved one receive a 4th dose and have not already notified the home, please email Arlene MacDonald, assistant director of care at amacdonald@mccormickcare.ca to provide your consent.
Mandating 3rd Doses- Staff, Students, Volunteers, Caregivers and Support Workers
In response to the uniquely high-risk nature of long-term care settings for Ontario’s most vulnerable individuals, the province is mandating third doses for all staff, students, volunteers, caregivers and support workers.
- Those who are eligible for a booster on or before December 31, 2021 have until January 28, 2022 to show proof of their booster dose.
- The remainder of staff, students, volunteers and support workers will have until March 14, 2022 to show proof of their booster dose.
- The remainder of caregivers will have until May 23, 2022 to show proof of their booster dose.
McCormick Home will be hosting vaccination clinics on January 12 and January 13, 2022. If you would like to receive your booster please email tpol@mccormickcare.ca. As a reminder, there is currently a shortage of Pfizer so at this time we will be receiving Moderna, an interchangeable mRNA vaccine.
Wishing you a safe and healthy new year,
Tanya Pol
Administrator
