The MFHT asks that COVID-19 consent forms are completed in advance

The Marathon Family Health Team (MFHT) has been working hard at preparing our local COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan. Planning ahead for the delivery and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine will help ensure that we are able to safely and effectively vaccinate all those who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine locally.

As part of the vaccine planning process, one of the MFHT’s next steps will be to begin the distribution and collection of consent forms to certain populations in our community. More specifically, we will be connecting with individuals who are in the priority groups identified by the Ministry of Health. These groups include, but are not limited to, seniors living in congregate settings, health care workers, Indigenous populations, chronic home care recipients and individuals who are 60 years and older. These specific groups are eligible for earlier doses of the vaccine because they are considered at higher risk of either contracting COVID-19 or of severe illness form the virus if they were to become infected.

Although we have not yet been advised as to when our community can anticipate a vaccine delivery, the MFHT encourages individuals who are in the priority groups and who are willing to receive the vaccine to complete and submit their COVID-19 vaccine consent forms as soon as they are able.

How do I know when to complete and submit my consent form?

We will let you know. Over the next few weeks, the staff and providers at the MFHT will contact specific individuals and organizations that meet the priority criteria and will share the COVID-19 vaccine consent form with them. If you don’t hear from us, it likely means that it’s not your turn to complete your consent form…yet. However, if you believe that you should have received a consent form, please do not hesitate to contact administrative staff at the MFHT.

Along with the consent form, a COVID-19 vaccine information sheet will be provided to allow you to learn more about the vaccine and what to expect during and after your vaccination appointment.

Why is it importance to complete and submit my consent form in advance?

Collecting COVID-19 vaccine consent forms in advance will benefit the MFHT and you.

First, it will help the MFHT identify who is willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Knowing who wants the vaccine is important because it will allow us to quickly administer vaccines in the instance that they are delivered to our community without very much notice (which has already happened in other communities). With that said, submitting your consent form in advance helps confirm to us that you want the vaccine. If we don’t receive your consent form after reaching out to you, we will assume that you are not interested in receiving the vaccine at this time.

Second, the consent forms are quite long and they include many questions. For this reason, it’s not feasible to ask those who wish to receive the vaccine to fill out the consent form at the time of their vaccination appointment. This is important to consider because the less time vaccination appointments take, the more people MFHT can vaccinate and the faster we can help protect our community.

Lastly, you may have questions about what’s included in the consent form. Completing the form in advance will provide you with time to review your consent form with a healthcare provider and to ask them questions about your eligibility to receive the vaccine, if you wish to do so. Having the time to ask questions is important because it will help you make an informed decision about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

How do I complete and submit my consent form?

The MFHT will offer to mail or email you a COVID-19 consent form. If you complete a paper copy of the consent form, you will be asked to drop it off at the clinic at your earliest convenience. When completing an electronic consent form, a copy will be sent directly to the MFHT when you submit it. 

We would like to thank everyone who will take on the responsibility of completing and submitting their COVID-19 vaccine consent forms in advance. By complying with this request, you will provide MFHT with the ability and resources to effectively and efficiently administer a successful COVID-19 immunization clinic. Thank you for your participation in this endeavor.