Covid-19 Vaccine Maternity
Dr. Kathy Jones is a maternity doctor in New Westminster BC and has been practicing for over 30 years, here's what she has to say about the Covid-19 vaccines if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or expecting to have a baby in the future.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Covid-19 Boosters are now available
Register for your Covid-19 Vaccine here or Booster here
You can now book your Covid-19 booster and your flu shot for the same visit!
You can also book over the phone at 1-833-838-2323
Why should I get the Covid-19 Vaccine or Booster?
Vaccines do more than protect you from COVID-19, they also protect everyone around you. The more people in a community who are immunized against COVID-19, the harder it is for the virus to spread. Vaccines approved in Canada have followed the same extensive testing as every other vaccine, and are proven to be effective in reducing virus transmission and severity of symptoms in people who do get the virus. Due to the steady emergence of new strains of Covid-19, the original 2 doses of the vaccine are no longer adequate to provide protection against the virus. Receiving the boosters will help ensure that you and your community remain safe.
More information:
What to expect when you get a COVID vaccine - click here
For the latest information on the provincial distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, please check the BC Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Page
Read Frequently Asked Questions on the Doctors of BC website.
Office Policies
In keeping with our goal to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for our patients and staff, Port Moody Maternity Clinic is asking that you comply with the following:
1. Call and advise us AHEAD OF YOUR APPOINTMENT if you have:
a) any cold or flu-like symptoms
b) any history of domestic or international travel for whatever reason since mid February 2020, either by airport or by crossing a border.
c) been exposed through close contact with family members or friends who are symptomatic with cold or flu-like symptoms OR who have returned from travel by air or crossed a border and are self-isolating.
d) been swabbed for COVID-19 OR live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
NOTE: It has been recently recommended (March 16, 2020) that pregnant women in their 3rd trimester (27 to 40 weeks) who become symptomatic should be tested for COVID-19. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other viral respiratory illnesses and include a dry cough, fever, tiredness and may involve difficulty breathing.
PLEASE CALL THE CLINIC (604 949 7248) TO INFORM US AND OUR PHYSICIANS WILL REFER you to the appropriate clinic for testing and for further workup if needed. COVID-19 testing will NOT be done at the Maternity Clinic or the Public Health Clinic. Please DO NOT go to the emergency room unless the severity of your symptoms warrants.
2. AVOID bringing any other person to your routine office visit OR any imaging or bloodwork appointments - please realize that we need to strive for physical distance and the exam rooms are small. We realize that making plans to have your other children cared for while you come for your visit is not easy but your efforts are appreciated at this time.
3. We will also be conducting some of our visits by Telemed /telephone to reduce the risk of travel and exposure for all. The staff will organize the visits as recommended by our physicians and the BC and Canadian Obstetrical Guidelines. If during a telehealth visit the physician feels you require a face-to-face visit for follow-up, it will be scheduled accordingly.
Prevention of COVID-19
Please be advised that we continue to strongly recommend that all patient abide by the up to date recommendations of the B.C. Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, which include: when to seek medical attention, when to quarantine, and when to self-isolate. All people should be adhering to the request for physical distance :
· Stay at home unless absolutely necessary
· Socialize with those in your household and virtually with others
· No shopping except for immediate needs, and preferably by someone other than the pregnant patient
As always, if you are experiencing an emergency please call 911.
More information on prevention can be found here: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Please continue to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, cough into your sleeve and practice social distance to do your part to support community efforts for the containment of Covid-19. Everyone of us as the responsibility to be mindful of doing their part in maintaining health and safety for all.
REMEMBER, WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY BOTH THROUGH THE PREGNANCY AND THROUGH YOUR DELIVERY. IF YOU BECOME SICK, WE WILL NEED TO INVOKE SIGNIFICANT PRECAUTIONS FOR THOSE CARING FOR YOU, TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION WHILE STILL MAINTAINING QUALITY PRENATAL CARE – AN ADDED STRESSOR WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO AVOID.
Self Isolation
Guidance for self-isolation is available on the BCCDC website: http://bccdc.ca
Again, we realise this is a stressful time and we have all had to make a number of changes in our routines. Please continue to eat healthy, get some regular exercise (including some outside with those you live with) and consider engaging in a new activity or hobby if you find yourself without work or unable to work from home.
Here’ s a good article from The Guardian on talking to your kids about Covid-19: Stop a worry becoming catastrophic: how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus
- The physicians and staff from Port Moody Maternity Centre