McCormick Care Group – COVID-19 Update

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

This is a McCormick Care Group update for Tuesday, January 04, 2022.

As directed by the health unit, all residents on Evergreen Walk have received their PCR test this morning.  Swabs will be sent to the lab later today.

Fourth Doses For Residents

We will be administering fourth doses for residents, for whom we have received consents, on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. The Ministry asked that we share the following information:

• We know that a third dose of vaccine results in higher protection against the Omicron infection than in people who have only received two doses. We also know that for all strains of COVID-19, the amount of vaccine protection provided against infection slowly decreases over time.
• Given the changes in the immune response that occur with age, and the fact that third doses were offered 3-4 months ago to boost protection, there is a possibility that protection has decreased again and that a fourth dose of vaccine will help increase levels of immune protection once again.

Obtaining consent

• You can agree to a fourth dose now and change your mind at any time before the vaccination clinic. You can also decide against a fourth dose now and change your mind later.
• This decision is completely voluntary. Your decision will not affect your care at the home in any way.

If you have not provided consent, but want your loved one to receive the fourth dose, please email Arlene MacDonald, assistant director of care at amacdonald@mccormickcare.ca or by calling ext. 2402.

Third Dose Booster Clinic

In response to the nature of long-term care settings for Ontario’s most vulnerable individuals, in late December 2021, the province mandated third doses for all staff, students, volunteers, caregivers and support workers.

If caregivers were eligible for a booster on or before December 31^st, 2021, third doses must be administered by January 28, 2022.  This is applicable to any caregiver who has had their second dose on or before October 9, 2021.  If you received your second dose after October 9, 2021, third doses must be administered by March 14, 2022. Third doses can be administered 3 months (84 days) after the second dose.  Booster clinics are scheduled at McCormick Home on January 12, 2022 and January 13, 2022 for staff, students, volunteers, caregivers and support workers.  To book, please contact Arlene or Tanya.

Please continue to be diligent following all public health measures including masking, physical distancing and hand hygiene.

Thank you,

Tanya Pol
Administrator