People at risk of complications from COVID-19 can now pre-register for vaccine in Waterloo region
Cancer patients and organ transfer recipients now eligible
Waterloo Region Public Health has opened up vaccine pre-registration for people at risk of developing complications from COVID-19.
The list is divided into two groups: high-risk and highest-risk.
People in both the highest-risk and high-risk groups are able to pre-register for the vaccine as of today — March 26.
The highest-risk group include adults — of any age — who:
- Have received organ transplants.
- Have received hematopoietic stem-cell transplants.
- Have neurological diseases that affect respiratory function (including multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, and myasthenia gravis).
- Kidney disease, with an eGFR of less than 30.
- Have cancer of the blood, lymph nodes or bone marrow (haematological malignancy) diagnosed less than a year ago.
The high-risk group include adults — of any age — who:
- Take immuno-suppressives (including chemotherapy and other medications that weaken the immune system).
- Are obese (with a BMI greater than 40)
- Have intellectual or developmental disabilities (including Down syndrome).
For those in the highest-risk group, an essential caregiver can also pre-register for the vaccine. That person must be someone who supports the individual on a daily basis and is involved in their health care.
"Anyone with questions about their health condition and the COVID-19 vaccine should seek the advice of their health care provider," said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo in a news release.
People are encouraged to pre-register online and public health says it can take four to six weeks to receive an appointment date. Those who cannot complete their pre-registration online can call 519-575-4400 or 519-575-4608 (TTY), but public health warns they are dealing with a high volume of calls.