Public Notice – Additional First Dose Appointments in Yellowknife for Priority Populations, Second Dose Appointments Being Delayed in Some Communities

Public Notice – Additional First Dose Appointments in Yellowknife for Priority Populations, Second Dose Appointments Being Delayed in Some Communities (February 12, 2021)

As vaccine rollout progresses in the NWT, we are working to give first doses to as many residents as possible to build our territory’s overall protection against COVID-19. 

Second Dose Vaccine Clinics in Remote Communities

For all communities, the most up-to-date vaccine schedule can be found at www.nthssa.ca/covid-vaccine. We encourage residents to check back frequently, communities are added on a regular basis as dates are confirmed and more information is known about future vaccine shipments. Residents in the priority populations outside of Yellowknife who may have missed the opportunity for a first dose can also be vaccinated at these clinics.

Dedicated second dose vaccine clinics currently listed on the schedule will go forward. The list on the online schedule continues to be added to/updated so if you do not see your community listed please check back as we finalize dates.

Second Dose Delay for Vaccine Clinics in Larger Regional Centres

We want to acknowledge that a group of residents – mostly in larger regional centres – were given second dose appointments in January before the Moderna vaccine shortages were known. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that the second dose be given between 28 and 42 days after the first dose.  

Due to the current shortage of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine across Canada, the Chief Public Health Officer has advised that second doses may be delivered closer to the 42-day timeframe in order to maximize vaccine supply. This means that second dose appointments that were already scheduled – the majority of which were between February 15 and 19, 2021 in Yellowknife – will be delayed. These individuals are being contacted directly by Public Health and asked to re-book when future opportunities for second doses are announced. Residents in regional centres who have received a first dose of vaccine and have not yet been booked in for their second dose appointment should continue to look for updates at www.nthssa.ca/covid-vaccine as these clinics have yet to be scheduled.

Important things to know: 

  • The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is reported to be 92% efficacious 14 days or more after the first dose, which means that residents with only one dose of vaccine are already building strong immunity against the disease. As new evidence about timelines for second dose administration becomes available, we will continue to keep residents updated. 
  • We understand that life, commitments, appointment availability, or weather may prevent people from getting their second dose within the recommended window. If administration of a second dose of vaccine is delayed for any reason, the second dose should be provided at the soonest availability. Residents do not have to restart the vaccine series if this happens. Other jurisdictions are also delaying the second dose in order to maximize the number of residents benefiting from the first dose due to logistical, human resource, health system capacity, or vaccine supply issues. 
  • Given the current shortage of vaccine, our priority is to provide protection to as many of our vulnerable residents as possible. There are still residents in priority groups – mostly in our large regional centres – that have not yet gotten and would benefit from a first dose. 
  • Every dose given in the NWT boosts our territory’s defense against COVID-19 and benefits us all. The NWT is currently leading the country in vaccine coverage to date and is well-positioned to provide both doses to 75% of the adult population well before other jurisdictions in Canada. We are asking residents to think of their loved ones, neighbours, or other community members who will are at high risk of exposure or severe disease from COVID-19 who may need the protection a first dose will give them.

Additional First Dose Appointments in Yellowknife

Starting today February 12 at 12:00 noon, approximately 1,500 additional first dose appointments will be opened between February 15-20, 2021 at the Centre Square Mall for priority populations in Yellowknife. These appointments can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis by Yellowknife residents who have not yet received a first dose and fall under one or more categories below: 

  • Residents 60 years of age or older  
  • Residents 18 years of age and older with one or more of the following chronic medical conditions: 
    • lung disease (COPD, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, moderate to severe asthma) 
    • heart disease (cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease) 
    • uncontrolled or untreated hypertension (high blood pressure) 
    • diabetes with poorly controlled sugars 
    • moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (especially those with kidney transplants or requiring dialysis) 
    • moderate to severe chronic liver disease (including fatty liver disease and cirrhosis) 
    • dementia 
    • stroke
  • Residents 18 years of age and older who are immunocompromised from underlying medical conditions or medications
  • Residents 18 years of age and older living with obesity (BMI of 40 or higher) 
  • Resident workers 18 years of age and older in the following categories (please bring company ID):  
    • Mine Workers whose job site is in a congregate setting with workers from outside the Northwest Territories (NWT residents only) 
    • Medevac Pilots or Flight Crew – Pilots and Inflight Cabin Crew (NWT residents only)   
    • Winter Road Support Staff who interact directly with staff from outside the Northwest Territories (NWT residents only)   
    • Canadian Armed Forces (NWT residents only)    
    • Taxi Drivers   
    • Isolation Centre Staff (added February 15)
  • Anyone 18 years of age and older with a CPHO Approval Letter

Appointments in Yellowknife can be made online by following this link: https://nthssabookings.simplybook.me/v2/. Residents who are unable to use the online booking form can call Yellowknife Public Health to book an appointment at (867) 767-9120.