After providing tens of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in London’s south end, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) will be closing its vaccination clinic at the Earl Nichols Recreation Centre a week from today. The clinic was originally opened on May 21st, 2021, as part of the Health Unit’s effort to increase opportunities for residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, before it was closed on September 3rd as demand for second doses declined. The clinic was then re-opened on January 6th, 2022 after increased community demand, following news in late 2021 that COVID-19 booster dose eligibility had been expanded to include everyone over the age of 18.

However, with recent demand for COVID-19 vaccine declining and a shift to more community-based mobile clinics, the decision has been made to close the Earl Nichols vaccination clinic. The Health Unit’s emphasis on providing additional vaccination clinics in neighbourhoods where people live, work and play is part of the MLHU’s continuing effort to reduce barriers and make access to the vaccine even easier.

The last vaccination clinic at the Earl Nichols site will be held on Friday, March 4th, before the facility is returned to its former role as a community recreation centre and arena. More than 80,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered at the Earl Nichols clinic site over the last nine months.

“We are grateful to the many clinic staff members and volunteers who worked at the Earl Nichols vaccination site and made it such a comfortable and welcoming setting for people and their families to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We are confident that the next phase of our vaccination campaign will provide convenient opportunities for families to get the protection they need, whether that’s a first, second or booster dose of vaccine.”

The Health Unit will continue to operate mass vaccination clinics five days a week at the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges and seven days a week at the Western Fair District Agriplex. In addition, the MLHU has a number of Community Hub COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Schools scheduled next week, with plans to add more throughout the month of March.

For additional information about how to get a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please visit www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility.

For a complete list of COVID-19 vaccination clinic options, including hours and days of operation for mass vaccination clinics, as well as the dates, times and locations of Community Hub COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Schools, visit www.healthunit.com/pop-up-vaccination-clinics.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317, extension 2469 of 519-617-0570 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit