The Northwestern Health Unit is urging eligible residents to book an appointment for their first, second, or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as they will be scaling back larger clinics in early February.
Though the health unit is scaling back clinics, Dr. Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit reminds people of the effectiveness of the vaccine.
“The COVID vaccine is saving lives, and I encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible.” Young Hoon said. “Our case and contact management are seeing that when they manage outbreaks in high-risk settings that vaccination makes a significant difference in reducing the risk of people being hospitalized.”
As of January 25, 2022, 90 per cent of all ages have gotten one dose, 86.5 per cent are fully immunized, and 43.9 per cent have received their booster dose.
The NWHU has administered 174,737 doses of the vaccine.
In replacement of scaling back, the health unit will be increasing accessibility to vaccination clinics being offered in communities next month.
Evening hours will be added to community-based clinics as well as daytime school-based clinics.
“Once the large-scale clinics wrap up, individuals can still get their COVID-19 vaccine from NWHU, however, there will be fewer clinics and fewer appointments available at each one.”
“We have also started offering the vaccine in schools to students with parental or legal guardian consent and are seeing very good uptake. These clinics will continue throughout February to ensure students and staff can get their vaccination,” Dr. Young Hoon says.
The health unit will also implement a new booking process for those in smaller communities.
“If you don’t see your community listed in the booking system and want a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you can book an appointment in a larger community, or if transportation is an issue, you can call your local NWHU office to be added to a waiting list.”
Young continued by saying that once enough people are interested in a COVID-19 vaccine in that community, those on the waiting list will be informed.
In addition to NWHU clinics, the COVID-19 vaccine is available from some local pharmacies in Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, and Sioux Lookout and from some primary care providers across the region.