People at risk of complications from COVID-19 can now pre-register for vaccine in Waterloo region

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 (includingmultiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, andmyasthenia gravis).
• Kidney disease, with an eGFR of less than 30.
• Have cancerof 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," saidDr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo in a news release.

People are encouraged to pre-register onlineand public health says it can take four to six weeks to receive an appointment date. Those who cannot complete their pre-registration online can call519-575-4400 or519-575-4608 (TTY), but public health warns they are dealing with a high volume of calls.