COVID-19

Note That all PrimeCare Physicians and Staff are Fully Vaccinated against Covid-19

Link to download vaccination passport: https://www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard

COVID BOOSTER SHOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE EVERY 6 MONTHS AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

The phone number for booking is 1-833-838-2323.

The website is www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca

The vaccine roll-out for children

Information: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

• BCCDC Information on COVID-19 vaccination for children

• Fact sheet for parents - Covid-19 vaccine for children 6 mo -11 yrs

• Immunize BC FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines: for children aged 6 mo and up .

IS THE VACCINE EFFECTIVE?

• The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is approved in Canada for children 6 months and older and the Moderna vaccine for 5 years and up and continues to be shown to provide excellent protection against the COVID-19 virus, preventing infections and reducing the risk of serious illness and hospitalization.

The more people who are vaccinated, the harder it is for COVID-19 to spread.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

• Your child will receive a 1/3 of the dose given to adults but may have similar side effects to adults who have received the vaccine. This is a normal sign that their body is building immunity to the virus.

• Some common side effects include soreness, redness, swelling and itchiness where the vaccine was given. Other reactions may include tiredness, headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint soreness, swollen lymph nodes under the armpit, nausea and vomiting. These reactions are typically mild and usually last about two days.

• Most people have no side effects and severe allergic reactions are very rare. You should also know that it is not possible for your child to get COVID-19 from the vaccine, and there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems.

SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT MYOCARDITISAND THE VACCINE?

• The risk of myocarditis following vaccination is very rare. In fact, the risk of myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection is greater than from the vaccine.

• The risk of myocarditis following vaccination is roughly 1 in 100,000. Typically, this condition has been mild to moderate, and people have recovered with or without treatment.

Medical Exemptions for Covid-19 Vaccine

As some patients are asking for exemptions from the need to have proof of vaccination, we are writing to clarify that there are no medical exemptions for the requirement to have proof of vaccination. People who are unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons are not exempt from the proof of vaccination requirement. This policy has been set by the Ministry of Health and BC Centre for Disease Control. As a result, doctors are unable to write you a letter exempting you from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is not mandatory in British Columbia, with the exception of healthcare workers working in health authority facilities.

Further details:

• Letter: Medical Exemptions for COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination

• Letter: COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Accommodations for Healthcare Workers

Our PrimeCare Medical Team

PrimeCare Medical + Edmonds UPCC COVID19 Safety Plan

We Are Here For You – Virtually and in Person

The provision of virtual (telephone and video) care was vital in our initial response to the pandemic.  The provision of optimal health care also requires in-office assessments when appropriate.   The safety of our patients and staff are our priority.  Following the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health, Worksafe BC, and the Doctors of BC we have made changes to the provision of in-person care as follows: 

What We Have Done:

• We are now allowing full seating in the waiting room. 

• If needed, we have set up video-visit technology to provide virtual care and have expanded our telephone capability.

• The office staff will be screening calls for Covid symptoms and triaging problems easily handled virtually. 

• The doctors and staff will ensure that personal distancing and hygiene guidelines are followed.

• If suspected of having Covid–19, we ask that you perform a self-covid test before coming to the office.

 Information for Covid testing and Vaccines can be found here:    fraserhealth.ca/vax.

Click here for further information