Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force Update - March 2, 2021

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

As previously reported, Lambton County received its first shipment of Pfizer vaccines on February 22 (3500 doses). The Mobile Immunization Team began vaccinating the remaining retirement home residents on February 23. First doses for all non-high-risk retirement home staff were completed last week. Bluewater Health also began to immunize their high priority staff last week at an internal clinic. Work will continue this week as they invite primary care providers and other eligible high priority community health care workers to receive their vaccine following Provincial guidance.

An additional shipment of Moderna vaccine was received on February 25 (1200 doses). The Mobile Immunization Team has been administering second doses of that vaccine to the first priority groups in Lambton County who received it including residents of long-term care, high-risk retirement, and Indigenous Elder Care homes. Administration of second doses to those individuals will be completed by March 12.

Another shipment of Pfizer vaccines (3500 doses) arrived yesterday. Those will be administered at one of three fixed site clinics in Lambton County starting this week by invitation only to staff and essential caregivers of long-term care and retirement homes.

Note: The fixed site immunization clinics (located in Point Edward, Wyoming and Forest) will be open to additional priority groups in the future, but at this time will operate on an invitation only basis. Details will be provided as soon as possible regarding when these clinics will be open to a wider eligibility group.

LPH and the City of Sarnia are also developing an innovative drive-thru clinic for those with mobility issues at the Strangway Centre. Stand by for further information.

This week, the Mobile Immunization Team is working in partnership with all three local Indigenous communities (Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and Walpole Island First Nation) as they prepare to vaccinate their adult populations at onsite clinics.

Yesterday, Lambton Public Health announced it is one of six Ontario Public Health Units participating in a pilot of the new online Provincial Immunization Booking System. Lambton County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics were invited to test components of the new online system by booking their vaccination appointments. Their immunizations are scheduled at fixed site clinics on March 5 and 8 at the Point Edward Arena/Optimist Club Community Hall, and March 9 and 11 at the Wyoming Fairgrounds.

Note: The Public Health Units involved in testing this pilot are only reaching out to a small group of individuals to participate. The online booking system is not currently open to the general public, only to those who have been identified and invited to take part in the testing. The new online booking website, as well as a new Provincial Call Centre, is expected to be open to the public on March 15. For updates and further information on these items visit - https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario.

Details will also be provided later this week regarding booking the next Phase 1 priority groups to receive their vaccinations including individuals who are 90 years of age and older. 

Please visit GetTheVaccine.ca for the latest updates on the vaccine roll-out plan in Lambton County. For specific questions about the vaccine or other local inquiries, Lambton Public Health’s call centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30pm at 519-383-8331.

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Please contact:
LPH Media Inquiries

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.