Walk-ins welcome for pregnant women to get COVID-19 vaccine in Waterloo Region

WATERLOO REGION — Pregnant girls can now stroll right into a Waterloo Area COVID-19 vaccine clinic for any dose wanted.

Dropping the appointment requirement is meant to encourage immunization amongst this group that’s weak to severe sickness but additionally extra hesitant to get the vaccine.

“One of the simplest ways to guard themselves and their infants is to get vaccinated after they’re pregnant,” medical officer of well being Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang mentioned throughout Friday’s briefing.

With the rise of the Omicron variant, hospitals are reporting a regarding rise within the variety of infants sick with COVID-19 who should be admitted for care.

“What we’re seeing with Omicron is we’re beginning to see extra infections of infants and we all know that infants are usually a really weak group as a result of they don’t have mature immune methods,” Wang mentioned. “Vaccines can assist defend these infants by the antibodies which can be transferred from the mom to the toddler.”

Whereas there are not any statistics on the variety of pregnant residents who've been vaccinated, Wang mentioned a provincial estimate exhibits a considerably decrease degree of immunization amongst this group in comparison with the overall inhabitants.

Many pregnant girls world wide have obtained the COVID-19 vaccine with no improve in antagonistic results reported.

“Everyone knows that expectant moms are eager to all the pieces that they will to guard their infants and possibly a few of them have been hesitant about taking the vaccine as a result of they're pregnant,” Wang mentioned.

However she urges all those that are pregnant to get the vaccine as a result of each mom and child are at increased threat of extra issues in the event that they develop into contaminated with COVID-19.

“It is necessary that you just get vaccinated for the safety of your child in addition to your self,” Wang mentioned.

“Infants are at higher threat due to their immature immune methods. Maternal antibodies can present safety for the primary six months of a child’s life.”

A complete of 1,145,987 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to regional residents: 86.52 per cent of residents 5 and older obtained at the very least one dose, and 80.50 per cent are totally vaccinated.

Greater than 45 per cent of kids aged 5 to 11 have obtained a primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Hundreds of appointments are at present accessible at regional clinics for this youthful age group.

“In the event you haven’t already immunized your baby, now could be the right time,” mentioned David Aoki, director of infectious illness.

The Nationwide Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends a second dose eight weeks (56 days) after the primary. Dad and mom can select to shorten the interval to as early as 21 days.

A 3rd dose has solely been advisable by the Ministry of Well being for youngsters with a restricted variety of immune-compromising circumstances.

E-book an appointment at a regional clinic at regionofwaterloo.ca/getavaccine. Youngsters also can get the vaccine at collaborating pharmacies or at their physician’s workplace.

Extra to return when the COVID-19 dashboard is up to date at 1:30 p.m.