With the growing number of people who have already received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the Province announced this morning it will be expanding the list of those who can receive a vaccine, ahead of schedule. Following Premier Doug Ford’s announcement, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU), Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) and Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) will expand COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to an age group that ranges from those who will turn 75 this year to those who are 79, starting Monday, March 22nd.

During this morning’s announcement the Premier announced that more than 50 percent of Ontario residents over the age of 80 have already received a first dose of vaccine and that over 1.4 million doses have been given across the Province.

In London and Middlesex County, as well as Oxford County, Elgin County and St. Thomas, residents between the ages of 75 and 79 can book an appointment by visiting www.covidvaccinelm.ca. While a number of bookings will be available by phone, phone bookings are highly discouraged due to the expected volume of calls. Online bookings are highly encouraged. Those who are not able to book online can call 226-289-3560.

In the Huron Perth Public Health region, residents can book by visiting www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking or by calling 1-833-753-2098.

“We’ve been able to give more than 16,000 doses of vaccine to those over the age of 80 through visits to long-term care and retirement homes and appointments at our clinics,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We have the vaccine and a proven process to get it into arms, so we’re excited to welcome those 75 to 79 to our vaccination clinics next week.”

“We are pleased to see the results of the early vaccine efforts in our long-term care homes and retirement homes where we currently have no reported outbreaks,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. “Now we turn our attention to older adults living in the community who have been eagerly awaiting this announcement.”

Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health at Huron Perth Public Health is also pleased about the expansion. “We are very happy that we are now opening up our clinics further to include those 75 and older. We know the importance of older adults getting the vaccine and look forward to seeing them in our clinics.”

Because it is expected there will be a very high demand for appointments on Monday morning, the public is asked to be patient when trying to book a vaccination date. Appointments will be available up to and including Monday, April 5th.

Media Contacts:

Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-617-0570

Megan Cornwell, Manager of Communications, Southwestern Public Health, 519-320-0819

Huron Perth Public Health: communications@hpph.ca

Spokespeople:

Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit

Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health, Southwestern Public Health

Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health, Huron Perth Public Health