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Local health teams hosting town hall on expanded eligibility for COVID antiviral medication

Cambridge, K-W, and Guelph-Wellington health teams to answer questions during Wednesday Zoom meeting
CambridgeToday Staff
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This image provided by Pfizer in October 2021 shows the company's COVID-19 Paxlovid pills. U.S. health regulators on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus. (Pfizer via AP)

The Cambridge North Dumfries Ontario Health Team (OHT) is teaming up with the KW4 OHT and the Guelph-Wellington OHT to host a COVID-19 Primary Care town hall meeting around expanded access to antiviral medication.

The session will provide additional information and local context to the province's recent announcement regarding expanded eligibility and access to Paxlovid. 

Paxlovid is an antiviral medication that can be taken by mouth at home and must be taken within five days of the start of symptoms.

The province announced expanded access to the drug on April 11 "as part of its plan to stay open and manage COVID-19 for the long-term."

“I am pleased that we will be able to offer more accessible antiviral treatment options to more people across Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “I ask everyone across Ontario to continue doing their part to keep their communities and loved ones safe by staying up to date on vaccinations and wearing masks.”

Effective immediately, the following higher-risk groups are eligible to be tested and assessed for antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, in Ontario:

  • Individuals aged 18 and over who are immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications);
  • Individuals aged 70 and over;
  • Individuals aged 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses; and
  • Individuals aged 18 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one risk condition (e.g., a chronic medical condition)

Anyone who is eligible for an assessment is now also eligible for a PCR test at any testing centre in Ontario.

Local OHTs are hosting the town hall on Wednesday, April 20 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to answer any questions about eligibility.

The town hall will also "provide practical updates and considerations around access to Paxlovid via the St. Mary's Hub and information around transitioning to a distributed model."

Speakers include Dr. M. Alarakhia, from the eHealth Centre of Excellence, Dr. Kelly Grindrod, associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Waterloo, and members of the St. Mary's General Hospital clinical assessment centre team.

Participants aren't required to register, but anyone interested is asked to email [email protected] for Zoom details.