COVID-19 Vaccination Update: Primary Care Pilot in London & Middlesex using AstraZeneca vaccine
We would like to update you on some developments over the past weekend.
Dr. Alex Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) was made aware by the Ministry of Health of an opportunity to pilot the delivery of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine** in a small number of primary care provider clinics in Middlesex and London.
On Saturday, March 27 around noon, the LMPCA Vaccine Task Force was asked to send a list of proposed pilot sites to Dr. Summers to submit to the Ministry by Sunday, March 28 at noon. (A decision on pilot sites will be made by the Ministry.)
Because of this short 24-hour turnaround, we were unable to engage all primary care providers broadly. However, we are hopeful that the proposed sites reflect our diversity in:
- Practice size and type
- Different EMR platforms used
- Geographic location
- Physical and technological infrastructure
The proposed pilot sites are:
- London InterCommunity Health Centre (East London, identified by the Province as an important early pilot site)
- 5 physicians at TMC Hyde Park, first floor (Northwest London)
- London Family Health Team (Northeast and Northwest London)
- Nixon FHO (South London)
- Blackfriars FHO (North, Central and South London)
- London Lambeth FHO (South London)
- Strathroy FHO (West and North Middlesex)
The LMPCA Vaccine Task Force worked diligently to emphasize the short term and focused nature of these pilots. This will allow us to learn how to effectively administer the COVID-19 vaccine in primary care settings and immediately scale knowledge, resources and vaccine supply to all willing practices as soon as possible.
Future opportunities for you to participate
The MLHU has indicated that there will be opportunities in the near future for other clinics to participate in vaccine roll-out. There will be a process to onboard additional clinics and the pilot sites will share lessons learned.
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If you would like to participate in future vaccine delivery in your clinic, please complete this Google form.
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For questions, comments and concerns on vaccine delivery in primary care, please email LMPCA's new email: info@lmprimarycare.ca
** The AstraZeneca vaccine will support the vaccination of patients over 60 years of age and those with highest and high risk health conditions. It is not indicated for mobilization for house calls at this time.
However, as discussed at the
March 23 Primary Care Vaccination Town Hall, we are actively working on supporting vaccination efforts with the Moderna vaccine for the housebound as well as immigrant and refugee populations.
