Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force Update – July 13, 2021

Point Edward, ON – The Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force met Tuesday, July 13 to discuss updates to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan in Lambton County. Here are some highlights from the meeting:

To date, a total of 143,613 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to residents of Lambton County by public health, hospitals, primary care and pharmacies. That represents 74.2 percent of adults (aged 18+), and 19.3 percent of youth (aged 0-17) who have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, 54.4 percent of adults and 4.5 percent of youth have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and are considered fully vaccinated.

In order to provide youth with a strong level of protection against COVID-19 and its variants, while supporting a safe return to school this fall, Lambton Public Health expanded second dose eligibility to youth aged 12-17 years of age who received their first dose of Pfizer at least 28 days ago (as per the recommended interval) on Monday, July 5.

All eligible individuals are asked to book their first or second dose appointments at any of the local clinics using LPH’s online Registration. Alternatively, eligible residents may book their second dose appointments by contacting LPH’s Vaccine Call Centre from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 226-254-8222. Note: Our call volumes are still very high at this time. If you are unable to reach us or get a busy signal, please call back. Our agents are working diligently to answer your calls.

In an effort to make it easier for individuals to receive a first or second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, to fill no shows and the last minute cancellation of appointments, LPH also unveiled a Vaccine Standby List last week. Please remember, the list resets each clinic day at 10am. Individuals must sign up each day they are available to get to their preferred clinic on short notice.

Residents should also be reminded that all vaccines provided as part of the Government of Ontario’s rollout deliver strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants. In addition, the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) confirmed that mixing vaccines is a safe and effective option for Canadians. To ensure maximum protection against COVID-19, everyone is encouraged to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.

The Clearwater, Forest and Wyoming immunization clinics still have some availability the weeks of July 19 and 26. Additional clinics will open as needed, and as more vaccine supply becomes available.

“Please book a first dose appointment if you have not done so yet, and a second dose appointment as soon as you’re eligible,” said. Dr. Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for Lambton County. “Being fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection from the virus, and its highly transmissible Delta variant which is circulating in the community.”

As the demand for COVID-19 vaccines wind down, the Task Force will review a transition and sustainability plan next week that will see the region’s vaccine rollout shift from large public immunization clinics to other smaller scale vaccination opportunities which will include mobile clinics, pharmacies and primary care.

“This doesn’t mean we are stopping vaccinations altogether,” said Dr. Ranade, Medical Officer of Health for Lambton County. “It simply means we are looking ahead, narrowing our focus and developing a plan to continue to provide immunizations in smaller more tailored settings.”

For the latest updates on Lambton County’s COVID-19 Immunization Rollout please visit GetTheVaccine.ca.

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The Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force is a group dedicated to the safe, comprehensive, effective, efficient and equitable rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Lambton County. Led by Lambton Public Health, the group consists of key stakeholders critical to the success of the plan including: Bluewater Health, Emergency Medical Services, Primary Care, Community Emergency Management Coordinators from the City of Sarnia, Village of Point Edward and County of Lambton, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, and Walpole Island First Nation.  The Task Force works to make vaccinations available to eligible populations in alignment with the Province of Ontario's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan.