Corrected version – the importance of your Second Vaccine

06/29/2021

(Please note that the announcement issued earlier today included incorrect information regarding the second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. This version has the correct information in red.)

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to update the community on the current Mass Vaccination Campaign for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Current second doses are at 63%. We are approximately 10% short of our first dose vaccination numbers.

“We are urging Kahnawa’kehró:non who are eligible and still have yet to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible,” said Lisa Westaway, Executive Director of the KMHC. “Your second dose is extremely important as we move towards full reopening and the community’s ability to stay open in the coming months. We cannot underestimate the potential impacts of the variants. Research has demonstrated that 2 doses are required to protect us from severe illness and death against certain variants of concern and to limit transmission to others”.

When fully vaccinated:

• You almost completely eliminate the risk of severe illness and death if COVID-19 is contracted
• You no longer have to self-isolate (if you don’t have symptoms) if you have contact with a positive case
• You are no longer required to quarantine when re-entering Canada from the United States upon proof of a negative COVID test
• You can gather with loved ones without masks and distancing
• You can travel more easily: 2 doses are required for travel (even for those who have had COVID-19)