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Waterloo Region Vaccine Implementation Plan The past year has been one like no other. We have been asked to change the way we live, work and interact with others. As a community, we’ve responded collectively. We have rallied together to follow public health guidelines and to make sacrifices for the greater good of Waterloo Region. While we were doing our part to stop the spread of Covid-19, experts around the world worked tirelessly to develop a safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccine. Thankfully, their efforts paid off and communities across the world began receiving vaccine shipments of PfizerBioNtech and Moderna vaccine – including Waterloo Region. But, before the vaccine shipment arrived, a Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force, comprised of key stakeholders, was assembled to develop and implement a comprehensive framework for the Vaccination Implementation Plan, for all eligible Waterloo Region residents, in a safe and equitable manner. The Vaccine Implementation Plan is a large, logistical operation requiring detailed, yet “flexible,” planning, established by limited and inconsistent vaccine supply, which is aligned with the provincial three phase implementation framework. As outlined by the Province, the first phase prioritizes health care workers, essential caregivers, long-term care home and high risk retirement home residents. Planning and outreach to leaders in First Nation communities and urban Indigenous populations, including Métis and Inuit adults is also underway as part of the first phase of rollout. The second phase will focus on essential workers, adults 60-75+, at risk populations, and those individuals with highrisk chronic conditions. Phase three, which is anticipated to begin later in 2021, will see vaccines widely available across Waterloo Region for anyone who wishes to be immunized. The strategy to administer the vaccine in Waterloo Region is a layered community approach, which encompasses the strength of a Community Engagement and Outreach working group that assists in guiding meaningful engagement to support the overall vaccine roll-out. This ensures the distribution plan reflects and best meets the needs of all citizens of Waterloo Region in an equitable manner. The clinical approaches utilized to deploy the vaccine are hospital clinics, fixed public health vaccine clinics, mobile and on-site clinics, primary care settings, and pharmacies. At present, Pfizer-BioNtech is the only vaccine allocated and administered in Waterloo Region. However, planning does include the administering of the Moderna vaccine and will be adapted when other vaccines are approved through Health Canada. As expected, there were logistical challenges presented surrounding the unique and complex technical specifications of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine, including time-sensitive transportation, temperature controlled and monitored storage, management, handling, and distribution. When the Region of Waterloo received its first batch of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine on December 21, 2020, its arrival
was carefully planned with increased security. It was properly stored in adherence to security and temperature protocols. Management of the first stationary clinic at Grand River Hospital was well underway prior to the shipment arriving, allowing health care staff to begin vaccination administration the very next day. To ensure the vaccine’s first dose was administered to as many people as soon as possible, mobile clinical teams were developed that saw health care staff visit long-term care and high risk retirement homes in the community once the PfizerBioNtech vaccine was approved to be transported. This began on January 12, 2021 and by January 22, 2021, all eligible long-term care and high risk retirement home residents had received their first-round vaccination. This was no small feat. It was the result of taskforce members and experts from across the Region meeting, volunteering, improvising, adapting and dedicating themselves to making this community healthier and stronger. Unfortunately, hit with news of reductions in vaccine supply, clinics had to be paused for first-round vaccination in late January, but a focus remained on the administration of second doses. It’s important to note that information changes daily and that we will continue to pivot as quickly as possible, to ensure the continued success of this vaccine program. As well, careful planning must go into monitoring and reporting on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines and ongoing communication regarding public health awareness and education. This includes a strong message for residents to continue following public health guidelines – stay socially distanced, enhance cleaning and sanitization, wear a mask. These measures have been instrumental in helping stop the infection rate and must continue. Our goal is to see vaccination rates rise and positive COVID-19 cases fall - and we need your help to do that. As we move forward, we must acknowledge and thank YOU – the residents of Waterloo Region who have remained patient, hopeful and kind to one another. The support of this community throughout the pandemic has been empowering. The dedication of those involved behind the scenes and on the frontlines since the beginning of this pandemic has been inspiring. Let’s continue to work together to ensure the successful, safe rollout of this vaccine, as we all look forward to returning to life as we once knew it. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deputy Chief Shirley Hilton Shirley Hilton is in her 31st year with the Waterloo Regional Police Service and, in December 2020, was appointed to head the Task Force for vaccine distribution in the Waterloo Region.
advocate March | April 2021
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