COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics At Parkland Saint John

Health officials are moving ahead with vaccination efforts at Shannex Parkland Saint John, which is at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak.

New Brunswick’s top doctor previously said they were not planning on vaccinating people in settings with ongoing outbreaks.

But during Thursday’s COVID-19 briefing, chief medical health officer Dr. Jennifer Russell said they are now able to move forward with vaccinating residents, except those in the “most-affected” units.

Russell said they wanted to ensure the vaccine could be safely administered during an outbreak while limiting further spread of the virus.

“It takes a lot of effort to ensure proper infection and prevention control and we really needed to dedicate our time and effort and resources towards that,” said Russell.

“Now that we are [moving forward], we need to make sure that the work that’s already being done in terms of cohorting people and self-isolating people and infection/prevention control is done properly.”

Shannex said vaccine recipients will include all residents who live at Carleton Hall, Howe Hall and Millidge Hall, and Tucker Hall residents who live in the Mayflower Court, Simms Court and Rockwood Court neighbourhoods.

Not included on the list is Tucker Hall’s Lily Court neighbourhood, where three deaths related to COVID-19 were reported this week.

“I know this is disappointing and frustrating and anxiety-provoking, I am aware of that,” said Russell. “We’re trying to do what’s safest for those residents at this time.”

All long-term care facilities will be prioritized based on risk assessments, she said, which includes whether they are dealing with an active COVID-19 outbreak.

Russell noted that even after receiving the first dose of vaccine, individuals could still become affected. It takes between seven and 14 days after the second dose to achieve the highest level of immunity, she said.

New Brunswick received 2,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Thursday, which will be used to vaccinate residents and staff at eight long-term care facilities in the coming days.