Vaccination Update – Second doses

04/07/2021

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) wishes to inform the community that the Vaccination Center will be open this week on a special schedule to provide 2^nd doses to eligible community members.

“Public Health has authorized the use of remaining vaccines to avoid spoiling doses that otherwise would expire as soon as April 14^th”, said Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre Executive Director Lisa Westaway, reminding community members that required delay between doses for the Moderna vaccine is 28 days. “We must use all remaining doses before the 14^th while respecting the 28 day interval. This allows for 2^nd dose vaccination of a small amount of community members”. Those who are now eligible will be contacted either by text message or phone call with the date and time of their appointment. Please do not call the KMHC or the Task Force. Please do not show up at the Bingo hall without an appointment.

2^nd dose vaccination at 16 weeks continues to be maintained by Public Health in order to uphold the Quebec strategy of vaccinating as many people as quickly as possible. The Task Force would like to remind the community that although effectiveness of first dose does not decrease during this 16 week period, we continue to negotiate a more favorable time delay between doses with the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services and Public Health.