COVID-19 information for adults with 22q
CBC News has published a Q & A on COVID-19: With flu season on the horizon, we answer your COVID-19 questions
Disclaimer: These information pages are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please discuss them with your doctor or healthcare provider.
Who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Updated September 13th, 2023
Individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness are recommended to get their next booster dose if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Health Canada approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine on September 12th, 2023. This new Moderna vaccine can be given to anyone six months of age or older and should be available early October. [See What is the updated vaccine? on this CBC News COVID-19 Q&A article]
Our Clinic recommends that all individuals with 22q as well as their family members receive all the vaccine doses (including boosters) for which they are eligible.
For more information and to book your vaccination appointment, please visit the Ontario Government’s COVID-19 vaccines page.Information about COVID-19 Vaccines
All the COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada give excellent protection against the COVID-19 disease. None of them contain any live virus. They cannot cause disease. So they are safe for people with immune deficiencies, just as they are for everyone else in the general population. Even for people who don’t make antibodies very well, the vaccine will help protect against the COVID-19 disease.
If you have any concerns, please check with your doctor. You can also call the VaxFacts Clinic of the Scarborough Health Network to book a phone appointment. VaxFacts is an opportunity for a one-to-one, judgement-free phone call with a physician, to address any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines. They have successfully counselled hundreds of patients in the past couple of months and have now opened up to all of Canada.
Booking appointments for vaccination against COVID-19
Book an appointment anywhere in Ontario
If you need help booking a vaccination appointment, please call us at (416) 340-5145 or email us at 22q@uhn.ca.
Proof of Vaccination
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your healthcare provider.
COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19 symptoms and treatment (Government of Canada website)
Self assessment (Government of Ontario website)
How to avoid COVID-19
- Avoid being very near another person
- “Social distance” means keeping about 6 feet apart (2 metres, or 3 big steps)
- Be especially careful about keeping your distance from other people when you are eating or drinking
- Wash your hands properly and frequently using soap and water
- Although hands are lower risk vehicles for passing on COVID-19, they are higher risk for common colds, which share some symptoms with COVID-19.
- Video: How to wash your hands properly
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wear a mask as an added layer of protection
- Government of Canada: COVID-19 mask use: How to choose, use and care for a mask
- Although masks are no longer required in many places in Ontario, a good mask that is worn properly will offer an extra layer of protection when you are indoors or in a crowded situation.
- Masks are still required in hallways and patient care areas of the Toronto General Hospital
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands
Getting tested for COVID-19 in Ontario
Updated September 13th, 2023
If you have COVID‑19 symptoms and are at a higher risk of severe illness, you should get tested for COVID‑19 (by molecular or rapid antigen test) and seek care as soon as possible, as you may benefit from available COVID‑19 treatments. These treatments must be taken immediately within the first five to seven days (depending on the treatment) of symptom onset.
Please visit the COVID‑19 testing and treatment website of the Government of Ontario for more information.
Rapid antigen tests that have expired:
- Health Canada has extended the shelf life of many rapid tests so the new expiry date is 24 months from the manufacturing date.
- If you have these tests at home, add two years to the manufacture date on the package to confirm the revised expiry date and use as directed. [Source: CBC News COVID-19 Q&A]
Guide to self-isolation
Updated September 13st, 2023
If you have any symptoms of illness or tested positive for COVID-19, please:
- Stay away from others, including those in your own home
- Take the online Self-assessment from the Government of Ontario. You will get a recommendation on what to do next.
Reliable resources for information on COVID-19
There is a lot of information on the Internet about the current pandemic, but not everything is accurate.
Please visit the following websites for the most up-to-date and reliable information:
- CBC News - Q & A on COVID-19
- Confused About COVID? Family Doctors Answer Your Questions
- University Health Network (UHN) - COVID-19 Info/Policies
- City of Toronto
- Public Health Ontario
- Government of Canada - includes outbreak updates, symptoms, prevention, travel, preparation