Category: Vaccination News

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Vaccination News

Second dose vaccinations begin this week

Second dose vaccinations are set to begin this week, and over the next three (3) weeks in Kahnawà:ke. The Kahnawake COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) wishes to reiterate that while the choice to become vaccinated is a private matter, the Task Force has been clear in its position that being vaccinated offers a greatly reduced risk of contracting or transmitting the virus.

A person is considered to be fully vaccinated seven (7) days after that person receives two doses of the vaccine. Being fully vaccinated almost completely eliminates the risk of severe illness and death if COVID-19 if contracted. The following applies for fully vaccinated persons:

  • No longer have to self-isolate (if they don’t have symptoms) if they have a contact with a positive case – Kahnawà:ke Public Health to assess and advise
  • No longer have to wear masks when in private places with other individuals who are also fully vaccinated. For further clarity, in these instances, persons who aren’t fully vaccinated are still required to wear a mask
  • Fully vaccinate persons can be in closer proximity to loved ones who are also fully vaccinated, with much less risk

Please note: children over 12 will be able to return to school in September with little to no measures in place if 75% of 12 to 17-year-olds are fully vaccinated.

Effective today (Monday, June 7th), Kahnawa’kehró:non who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to quarantine when in Kahnawà:ke after re-entering Canada from the United States (although they are still subject to Canada’s rules when not in Kahnawà:ke). Additionally, Canada is expected to soon waive pre-departure test, seven (7) day test, and quarantine requirements for people who are fully vaccinated, upon re-entering Canada.

COVID-19 still exists and, despite being fully vaccinated, persons may still get COVID-19 and transmit it to others, although the risk of severe illness and death are greatly reduced. Please evaluate every situation and make informed decisions about your actions according to the level of risk you are willing to take.

The Task Force thanks you for your attention.

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Vaccination News

Reasons for receiving Vaccination second dose

With the second vaccinations set to begin next week in Kahnawà:ke, the Kahnawake COVID-19 Task Force (the Task Force) wishes to provide information in the public interest regarding vaccinations. While the choice to become vaccinated is a private matter, the Task Force has been clear in its position that being vaccinated offers a greatly reduced risk of contracting or transmitting the virus.

A person is considered to be fully vaccinated immediately after that person receives two doses of the vaccine. Being fully vaccinated almost completely eliminates the risk of severe illness and death if COVID-19 if contracted. The following applies for fully vaccinated persons:

  • No longer have to self-isolate (if they don’t have symptoms) if they have a contact with a positive case – Kahnawà:ke Public Health to assess and advise
  • No longer have to wear masks when in private places with other individuals who are also fully vaccinated. For further clarity, in these instances, persons who aren’t fully vaccinated are still required to wear a mask
  • Fully vaccinate persons will be able to hug loved ones who are also fully vaccinated

Please note: children over 12 will be able to return to school in September with little to no measures in place if 75% of 12 to 17-year-olds are fully vaccinated.

Effective on Monday, June 7th, Kahnawa’kehró:non who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to quarantine when re-entering Canada from the United States (although they are still subject to Canada’s rules when not in Kahnawà:ke). Additionally, Canada is expected to soon waive pre-departure test, seven (7) day test, and quarantine requirements for people who are fully vaccinated, upon re-entering Canada.

COVID-19 still exists and, despite being fully vaccinated, persons may still get COVID-19 and transmit it to others, although the risk of severe illness and death are greatly reduced. Please evaluate every situation and make informed decisions about your actions according to the level of risk you are willing to take.

The Task Force thanks you for your attention.

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Main Featured News Vaccination News

Vaccinations for community members 12-15 years-of-age begin TODAY (Thursday, June 3rd)

For immediate release 

(Kahnawake – 3, Ohiarí:ha/June 2021) The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (“KMHC”) and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (“Task Force”) would like to remind Kahnawa’kehró:non that vaccinations for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 begin TODAY. 

This vaccination clinic will be held at the Vaccination Center located at the Mohawk Bingo on Route 138 on: 

  • Thursday, June 3 from 3pm until 6:30pm  
  • Friday, June 4 from 1pm until 6:30pm  
  • Saturday, June 5 from 9am until 3pm  

It is not too late to book your appointment. Although Thursday is full, there are still spots available on Friday and Saturday to book appointments. Please visit www.kahnawake911.com/vaccine and click on the link to Quebec’s Clic Santé portal. Those aged 14 and over do not require parental consent to receive the vaccine. Those under the age of 14 require parental consent to receive the vaccine. The parental consent form can be found at the aforementioned website when booking your appointment. 

“This is another crucial phase in the vaccination campaign but more importantly in ensuring that our community remains safe as we move forward towards a new normal. Vaccinations protect our most vulnerable and will contribute greatly to return to school in the fall in a safe and secure way,” said Executive Director of the KMHC Lisa Westaway earlier this week. “Our children deserve to be learning on-site. Vaccinations will ensure that they can be back in school, meeting their mental health, physical, social and psychological needs, while at the same time, protecting their families and loved ones.” 

Additionally, local residents who may require more information or have questions about the vaccines and adolescents can contact a nurse from Public Health at 450-638-3930 ext. 2213. Other vaccine-related information is available on various government websites to help you make an informed decision regarding vaccinations: 

https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/fichiers/2021/21-279-42WA.pdf

https://immunize.ca/sites/default/files/Resource%20and%20Product%20Uploads%20(PDFs)/COVID-19/covid-q-and-a_e.pdf

Do your part to protect your loved ones and community by wearing your mask, practicing proper hygiene, social distance and get vaccinated. 

-30- 

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News Vaccination News

Update: Progress on re-booking second dose vaccinations

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (“KMHC”) and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (“Task Force”) would like to provide the community with an update on the progress of re-booking vaccine appointments for the second dose.

The staff at the KMHC is still in the process of cancelling and re-booking new vaccination appointments, as previously reported to the community. This is a laborious task and requires some additional time to complete.

The KMHC is also asking community members to refrain from calling the hospital for updates on specific vaccination appointments. Instead, please continue to monitor your email and/or text messages for confirmation of your new appointment.

Additionally, some Kahnawa’kehró:non may have already received more than one cancellation notice for their previously booked appointment. The KMHC is aware of this situation and is currently working on resolving this technical issue.

You can also visit www.kahnawake.911.com/vaccine for further information and updates on this process, once they become available.

The KMHC is asking for your patience and understanding throughout this process.

Do your part to protect your loved ones and community by wearing your mask, practicing proper hygiene, social distance and get vaccinated

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News Vaccination News

Vaccinations for community members 12-15 years of age to begin this week

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (“KMHC”) and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (“Task Force”) would like to remind Kahnawa’kehró:non that vaccinations for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 begin this week.

This vaccination clinic will be held at the Bingo Hall on Route 138 on:

  • Thursday, June 3 from 3pm until 6:30pm
  • Friday, June 4 from 1pm until 6:30pm
  • Saturday, June 5 from 9am until 3pm

To book your appointment please visit www.kahnawake911.com/vaccine  and click on the link to Quebec’s Clic Sante portal. Those over the age of 14 do not require parental consent to receive the vaccine. Those under the age of 14 require parental consent to receive the vaccine. The parental consent form can be found at the aforementioned website when booking your appointment.

“This is another crucial phase in the vaccination campaign but more importantly in ensuring that our community remains safe as we move forward towards a new normal,” said Lisa Westaway, Executive Director of the KMHC. “Vaccinations protect our most vulnerable and will contribute greatly to return to school in the fall in a safe and secure way. Our children deserve to be learning on-site. Vaccinations will ensure that they can be back in school, meeting their mental health, physical, social and psychological needs, while at the same time protecting their families and loved ones.”

Additionally, local residents who may require more information or have questions about the vaccines and adolescents can contact a nurse from Public Health at 450-638-3930 ext 2213. Other vaccine related information is available on various government websites to help you make an informed decision regarding vaccinations:

https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/fichiers/2021/21-279-42WA.pdf

https://immunize.ca/sites/default/files/Resource%20and%20Product%20Uploads%20(PDFs)/COVID-19/covid-q-and-a_e.pdf

Do your part to protect your loved ones and community by wearing your mask, practicing proper hygiene, social distance and get vaccinated

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News Vaccination News

Important update regarding Kahnawake Vaccinations

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force and the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre wish to provide the following important information regarding the upcoming second dose of the Moderna vaccine for those 18-and-over.

Beginning on Tuesday, May 25th, those who already have an appointment scheduled should expect a text or email cancelling the appointment you received after your first vaccination and the new appointment date and time. For those who do not have an email or cell phone in our system, we will call you personally to schedule.

By Thursday, June 3rd, if you have not heard from the KMHC and are awaiting a second dose appointment, contact KMHC directly at extension 2295 to make an appointment.

For those who wish to receive their first dose, call Public Safety at 450-632-0635 and you will be scheduled for your first dose.

Additional information:

  • For vaccinations for the 12 to 15 age group, you have to be 12-years-old on the date of the vaccine or it will not be recognized as an eligible vaccine.
  • If you have questions regarding vaccine safety, side effects, or other issues and want to speak to a nurse, please call the Public Health line at 438-836-5278.
  • Please be patient and do not call for a second dose appointment until after June 3rd, as the scheduling process of more than 3,000 appointments will take some time.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!  

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Vaccination News

Information on vaccination QR Codes

Cropped photo of young sick ill patient lady unwell call emergency, ambulance doc virologist flu cold covid injection shoulder medication help wear latex gloves protective uniform indoors

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) would like to provide some information regarding Quebec’s Quick Response Code, or QR Code as it’s commonly known.

The QR Codes are being sent by email or text message by the Minister of Health and Social Services (MSSS) to those who received their COVID-19 vaccination. The QR Code is a digital document embedded with your vaccine information. This document can be stored electronically on your smartphone, email or can be printed and carried in a wallet. 

The following Quebec.ca website provides information about the QR code:

https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/progress-of-the-covid-19-vaccination/proof-covid-19-vaccination

The vaccine QR Code is an initiative of the Quebec Government and not the Task Force or KMHC. The Quebec government has not yet decided in what way the QR code will be used in the future. The paper validation of your vaccine is still recognized and valid as proof of vaccination. Some people may not have received their QR Code for various reasons. Very shortly, the Quebec.ca website will allow individuals to access it to generate their personal QR Code if required. The site is not ready at this time.

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Vaccination News

Task Force announces next vaccinations, special focus on 16 and 17-year-olds

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force wishes to advise the community of the re-opening of the Vaccination Center next week for the scheduled second doses of Pfizer for employees of Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre, Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services, the Kahnawà:ke Fire Brigade, and the Peacekeepers.

Important: Due to the current situation of high COVID-19 outbreaks amongst youth, there will be 25 extra doses available for 16 and 17-year-olds next Thursday and Friday BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. We strongly urge all 16 and 17-year-olds to book an appointment to be vaccinated at this time due to the increase in cases and current high transmission throughout the community. 

Please make your appointment through www.Kahnawake911.com/vaccine by clicking on the link for Clic Santé.

Please note: There are now seventeen (17) active cases of COVID-19 within the Territory. The majority of transmission is amongst the population under 20 years of age. Parents are being urged to speak to their children and peers about safe gatherings, distance, hygiene, masking, etc., as it has proven challenging to reach this age group through the standard means of communications. Direct conversation within the family should not be overlooked as an effective means of providing important information to this increasingly vulnerable age group.  

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Main Featured Vaccination News

End of First Phase Mass Vaccination Campaign

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) and the Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) wish to inform the community that the first phase of the community’s Mass Vaccination Campaign has been completed. The Mass Vaccination Center is now closed and is expected to resume operations in mid-June for those requiring their second dose.

For community members who still want their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact the Public Safety Unit at 450-632-0635 to add your name to a list, and you will be contacted when accommodations can be made to receive your vaccine. 

“We are pleased to announce that we’ve vaccinated 3,872 Community members,” said Lisa Westaway, Executive Director of the KMHC. “We will resume our Mass Vaccination Campaign for those requiring their second dose in mid-June; however, the Task Force continues to negotiate to administer second doses earlier than June. Please be reassured that efficacy of the first dose will not decrease in the meantime.”

The KMHC and Task Force are pleased with the extra level of protection that the community now has against COVID-19, but we ask that all remain vigilant in continued respect of Public Health measures of Distance, Hygiene and Masking, especially in light of lack of medical information regarding the variants. We would like to thank those who helped make this massive undertaking a great success. The hard work of everyone has ensured a safer atmosphere for the entire community as we navigate through this pandemic.

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Vaccination News

Revised Schedule for Special Vaccination Clinic for 16 and 17 year old Community Members

The Kahnawà:ke COVID-19 Task Force (Task Force) wishes to remind the community that the Mass Vaccination Center will be open this week on a special schedule to provide the Pfizer Vaccine to community members who are 16 and 17 years of age. Those who are eligible are being asked to register online by visiting www.Kahnawake911.com/vaccine and follow the link to Quebec’s ClicSante website.

This special clinic will take place at the Bingo Hall on:

  • Wednesday, April 14, from 3pm to 5:30pm
  • Thursday, April 15, from 3pm to 5:30pm
  • Friday, April 16, from 3pm to 5:30pm
  • Saturday, April 17, from 9am to 5pm

“The Task Force would like to remind the community that this will be the only opportunity for the aforementioned age group to receive their first dose of the vaccine at the Mass Vaccination Center. Kahnawake is also the only First Nation currently vaccinating those of 16 and 17 years of age,” said Lloyd Phillips, Commission of Public Safety. “We are still unsure of the impacts of the variants on all age groups so it’s important to that we take advantage of this opportunity and protect ourselves and each other by getting vaccinated.”

Additionally, community members who have yet to receive their first vaccine can also book their appointment through www.Kahnawake911.com/vaccine.

At this time walk-ins will NOT be accepted as all doses are currently accounted for.