Local COVID-19 Vaccine Status

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Ontario continued its roll-out of vaccines against COVID-19 over the past weeks, and the numbers getting the jab is increasing daily. Individuals are receiving their jab when they are initially admitted to long-term care residences, and those who are confined to their homes for health reasons are being visited by mobile teams if they are in an eligible category to be vaccinated.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit (LGLHU) has also opened new appointments dates in Kemptville with the announcement of new supplies of vaccines becoming available. These can be booked by using the Province’s online booking tool at www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine, or the Provincial Booking Phone-line at 1-888-999-6488, open Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. You can also call the local Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Booking Centre toll-free at 1-844-369-1234. It is open daily from 8:30 am to 4 pm. The provincial and the local booking systems have different days and times available to them – so you can try both if you are unsuccessful with one.

It has been the experience of many people that the provincial online booking system is the most efficient way to get an appointment for those eligible under current guidelines. The actual vaccination process at the Municipal Centre in Kemptville is well-organized and the people on duty there are friendly, professional and the entire experience is as stress-free as they can make it.

Eligibility criteria are changing quite quickly as supplies of vaccines increase on a weekly basis, so it is best to check these guidelines on-line in order to find the latest information. It is worth noting that people in priority groups can be contacted if an opening appears in a daily schedule at vaccination centres. This Contingency List program allows those with booked appointments to be moved up the list as openings allow. Once you book an appointment, and you are registered in a priority group (for example, someone with a chronic illness, such as Diabetes, or someone who is pregnant), you may get a call to attend a vaccination centre at short notice.

The vaccination roll-out in the LGLHU area, as of May 2, which is the latest date for which we have data, shows that from April 26 to May 2, 6,622 individuals received their first dose of vaccine and 93 individuals received their second dose. A total of 45,741 individuals have received at least one dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca Vaccine (either through one of our fixed sites, the KHSC Clinic, the Ottawa Hospital Clinic, one of our mobile clinics/teams or through local primary care offices) since our roll out started. This number does not include those that received AstraZeneca in a participating Pharmacy.

In Ontario as a whole, as of May 6, 141,038 doses were administered daily on average, for a total of 5,740,761 total doses administered. This means that 384,589 people in Ontario have been fully vaccinated. The current wait time between first and second jabs is around four months, or 16 weeks. This does not affect the efficacy of the vaccine. It may well be that increased supplies of the various vaccines will allow that period to be shortened, but that is not at all clear at the moment.

The LGLHU urges people to remain patient. It will take time for COVID-19 vaccines to be distributed to everyone in the community. Each group will be specifically identified and notified in advance to plan for vaccination – information will be posted on the LGLHU website, social media, local media, and through healthcare and community partners – you won’t be missed!

In the meantime, continue to follow the familiar precautions – wear a mask, keep the 2m/6ft distance from others, follow the stay at home order. Stay home if sick and contact the Assessment Centres for testing if you have any symptoms.

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