COVID-19 Vaccines

Western Health’s vaccine clinics provide both flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent booster. Residents may receive both vaccines safely at the same time.

Appointments are required. 

Individuals are eligible to receive their COVID booster 20 weeks from their last vaccine dose or 3 months from COVID-19 infection. 

The Bivalent Vaccine is currently available for the following individuals:

-Aged 18 and over
-Aged 12 years to 18 years who have an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

Individuals who are older than five, but not yet 18 can still receive a booster dose, however, they will be given the original vaccine.

Online booking is only available (except 6 month to 5-year-olds) for vaccine appointments in:

  • Corner Brook Valley Mall
  • Stephenville Public Health Office (149 Montana)
  • Port aux Basques Public Health Office (Barhaven Drive)

If you wish to book an appointment at one of these sites, please book online here. Those unable to book online can schedule an appointment by calling 1-833-703-5470 toll free.

For all other areas in the region, please call your local Public Health office to book an appointment for a flu shot.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccination walk-ins and by-appointment are available at the Valley Mall Corner Brook every Wednesday and Thursday of the month of January 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Individuals who are homebound and not able to visit a vaccine clinic/physician office can call 1-833-703-5470 to coordinate a home visit.

Individuals who are at least six months of age, but not yet five are still able to receive a primary series of COVID vaccine, however they are not eligible for boosters at this time. COVID Vaccine appointments for children under five will not be offered at vaccine clinics.  Please contact your local public health office to coordinate an appointment time.

Western Health reminds the public to arrive for their appointment no earlier than ten minutes in advance, to bring their MCP card and to wear a short-sleeved shirt. Further instructions will be provided on site.

Residents may also receive their shots through their family physician or local pharmacy. Physicians can administer the vaccine to everyone, regardless of age, while pharmacists can administer the vaccine to people five years of age and older.

Public Health Offices offering COVID-19 vaccines can be found here.

Screening and COVID-19 Testing
 
COVID-19 Screening

Visitors must self-screen for COVID-19 at point-of-entry at Western Health facilities.
Patients, residents and clients will be screened at registration and can proceed directly to registration upon arrival at the health-care facility.

Visitation is not permitted if the support person/visitor is symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19) or self-isolating (except in specific situations such as labour and delivery and end-of-life visitation and only in consultation with the patient/resident’s clinical care team).

Visitors/support persons are directed to follow signage at the health-care facility they are visiting and must successfully meet the screening requirements before proceeding inside of the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons can also complete the below self-screening prior to arrival at the health-care facility.

Visitor/Support Person: COVID-19 Screening

1. Do you have any one or more of the following symptoms?

Fever (including chills/sweats).
New onset of muscle aches.
Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours.
New or worsening:

Cough.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes/conditions).
Sore throat or difficulty swallowing.
Headache.
Acute loss of sense of smell or taste.
Unusual fatigue, lack of energy.
Loss of appetite.
If yes, do not visit.

2. Are you self-isolating (including modified self-isolation)?

If yes, do not visit (except in specific situations for labour and delivery and end-of-life visitation, and only in consultation with the clinical care team).

All visitors/support persons must:

  • Wear a well-fitted medical mask. Cloth masks and masks with exhalation valves are not permitted.
  • Perform hand hygiene.
  • Follow all guidelines for the unit/area you are visiting. (Visitation policy: Two people may visit at the same time).

Patient Screening: Patients, residents and clients are screened at point of registration. The COVID-19 screening tool allows for any necessary precautions (e.g. personal protective equipment and isolation protocols) to be put in place, as required, to help protect patients, staff and physicians as they provide health-care services. Patients are directed to contact the relevant clinic prior to arriving for their appointment at an Western Health hospital or facility if they are experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or are self-isolating. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 stay at home until your symptoms have improved and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. It is recommended to use a rapid antigen test if you have them on hand. If the first test is negative, and you continue to have symptoms, do another test 48 hours later. To keep those around you safe, when you are feeling better and leave home, for 10 days after your symptoms, you should wear a mask outside you are household, avoid non-essential visits to high-risk areas, and avoid non-essential close contact with high-risk individuals

COVID-19 Testing

Public Health COVID-19 testing has concluded. Individuals are no longer able to request a COVID test using the online COVID-19 Assessment and Test Reporting Tool. 

Rapid antigen COVID tests are now available to the public through delivery by Canada Post, at public libraries and MHA offices. If you are at higher risk of severe disease, you should use a rapid antigen test. If positive, you may be eligible for early treatment. Contact your primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) or your pharmacist to discuss if treatment is appropriate for you.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 stay at home until your symptoms have improved and you haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. It is recommended to use a rapid antigen test if you have them on hand. If the first test is negative, and you continue to have symptoms, do another test 48 hours later. To keep those around you safe, when you are feeling better and leave home, for 10 days after your symptoms, you should wear a mask outside you are household, avoid non-essential visits to high-risk areas, and avoid non-essential close contact with high-risk individuals.