Since it reopened last week, the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Western Fair District Agriplex had been delivering vaccine to those who had already received their first dose, but whose second dose appointments had been rescheduled. With the renewed delivery of vaccine and guidance from the Province, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU), Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) and Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) will be expanding vaccination to additional priority groups identified in the first Phase of Ontario’s Vaccination Plan, who have yet to receive a first dose.

Starting today, the three health units will be working with long-term care and retirement homes in their respective regions to schedule appointments for staff and essential caregivers who have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Delivery of the second dose of vaccine will be within 35 days of the initial dose.

Healthcare workers in provincially-prioritized groups will be able to start getting their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the coming days. Among the groups now eligible to receive the vaccine are:

• Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes and First Nations elder care homes, and any residents of these settings that have not yet received a first dose of vaccine.
• Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
• Highest Priority health care workers, followed by Very High Priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization: Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination.
• Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities).

“This is the next step in bringing the pandemic under control. Today’s announcement allows us to go from completing the course of vaccination for the thousands who had received a first dose, to actually growing the number of people who are protected across our region,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

“We are pleased to see that vaccine supply is increasing, allowing us to protect even more individuals from this virus and be one step closer to controlling this pandemic. Advanced age remains the most significant factor for increased risk of severe complications from COVID-19 – protecting those who care for our elderly is critical,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health.

“The increase in vaccine supply is much welcomed. Having almost completed second doses for Huron-Perth residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes, we are pleased that staff and essential caregivers who have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will now also receive the opportunity to be vaccinated. We look forward to vaccinating additional priority groups and increasing the protection against COVID-19 in Huron-Perth,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health at Huron Perth Public Health.

Since December 23rd, 2020, more than 25,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to healthcare workers and residents in long-term care and high-risk retirement homes, as well as select healthcare staff working in hospitals. Vaccination eligibility will be expanded as Ontario moves to the second and third Phases of the Provincial Vaccination Plan. A timeline for Phases two and three has not yet been announced.

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