COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Physicians and Primary Care

The number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Niagara differs with each booster dose. It is higher in older age groups and lower in younger age groups.

All health care providers are trusted sources of vaccination information, whether they administer the COVID-19 vaccine or not. Trust is an important factor in vaccine uptake. Strongly encourage eligible patients to get all the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Administering COVID-19 in your practice

• Step 1: Complete the readiness checklist

  If you have not ordered COVID-19 vaccine previously, complete and submit the COVID-19 vaccine readiness checklist for primary care and specialists to Public Health.

• Step 2: Order vaccine for your practice

  Make sure there is a plan for immediate vaccine administration when ordering.

  Place your order using the COVID-19 vaccine order request form:

  • Orders are submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday and can be picked up from our office the following Thursday
  • With every vaccine order, you must include a current four week copy of your fridge temperature log (up to the present day). Fax or email your completed order form and four weeks of temperatures to 289-479-0192 or covid19vaccineorders@niagararegion.ca.

  • Public Health will call your office to discuss the details of your vaccine order and to arrange a pick-up time
  • Make sure your vaccine refrigerator is ready to accept COVID-19 vaccines (temperature kept at 2 C to 8 C)

  • Your office will need to have depleted inventory before receiving additional COVID-19 vaccine from Public Health
• Step 3: Pick up vaccine from Public Health

  Your COVID-19 vaccine can be picked up from our office (Campbell East entrance) on Thursdays at your pre-arranged pick-up time.

  Before leaving your office, make sure that your insulated cooler is prepared for transport (temperature kept stable between 2 C to 8 C) and is equipped with a digital max / min thermometer.

COVID-19 vaccine information

• What do I need to know about COVID-19 vaccines?

  Learn more about the XBB COVID-19 vaccine.

  If you have a patient requesting a certain vaccine, every effort should be made to get vaccinated with an mRNA XBB vaccine. mRNA XBB vaccines are safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and are available in Niagara.

  Novavax

  Individuals 12 years of age and older interested in accessing a dose of Novavax should call 905-688-8248 ext. 7425 to be added to a wait list after being assessed for eligibility.

• Where can I get information about allergies and COVID-19 vaccines?

  Ontario eConsult service offers allergy advice related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up for eConsult.

Frequently asked questions

• If I have issues with COVaxON, who do I contact?

  Niagara Region Public Health has a team dedicated to supporting on local issues and answering questions related to COVaxON. Email COVaxON Support to speak to a member of our team.

• I can't hold a vaccine clinic. Can I vaccinate patients individually?

  Yes, you can vaccinate patients individually by grouping appointments together in your schedule.

  Due to fluctuating patient interest in COVID-19 vaccination or staffing limitations, we understand it may not be possible to allocate a specific day or time to administer COVID-19 vaccines to patients. Use opportunistic vaccination. Offer COVID-19 vaccination during routine immunizations or other in-person appointments.

  Refer to "I'm concerned about wastage. How do I use up remaining vaccine?" for more information.

• I'm concerned about wastage. How do I use up remaining vaccine?

  Vaccine waste may be unavoidable when trying to provide people with every possible opportunity to be vaccinated. Do not hesitate to puncture a vial for patients who may be vaccine hesitant or unlikely to return for vaccination. With the low demand for vaccination and secure supply, there might be some wastage, even with best efforts.

  Start with small amounts of COVID-19 vaccine to see how vaccination works best in your practice. Use as many vaccine doses as you can before the vials must be disposed of.

  Dispose of leftover vaccine or empty vials in medical sharps waste containers and destroy all labels and packaging.

• Can I transport the vaccine, for example to another clinic location?

  The recommended routine practice is that once the vaccine arrives at your office / clinic, it's not moved again. This includes bringing it to a satellite office.

  If you have questions about transportability, please call the Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396.

• How do I bill for COVID-19 vaccinations?

  Log in to your OMA account for detailed information and to stay updated on billing codes for activities related to COVID-19 vaccination.