Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force Update – May 25, 2021

Point Edward, ON – The Lambton COVID-19 Immunization Task Force met Tuesday, May 25 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 68,755 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to residents of Lambton County by public health, hospitals, primary care and pharmacies. That represents 58.7 percent of adults aged 18+ in Lambton County who have received one or more doses.

Last Tuesday, Lambton Public Health opened vaccine registration at the Point Edward Arena to individuals 12 years of age and older. Simultaneously, registration also opened at all local fixed site clinics for individuals 18 years of age and older (or those turning 18 in 2021). To date, over 2,800 individuals aged 12 to 17 years old have booked vaccination appointments.

If you’re eligible and would like to schedule an appointment, please go to Lambton Public Health’s Registration page. Please be patient as clinics are booking up quickly. If clinics are fully booked, check back often. Additional clinics will be added as vaccine supply is confirmed.

First doses have been completed to the majority of those included in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Provincial Government’s COVID-19 Immunization Rollout.

In addition, Lambton Public Health has been contacting individuals who are medically eligible for a reduced second dose internal along with a large number of eligible High-Risk Healthcare workers, dialysis patients and all First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals to book their second dose appointments. As such, LPH is temporarily opening the mass immunization clinic at the Clearwater Arena to administer second doses to High-Risk Healthcare workers for one day only on May 31, 2021. This will serve as a test run for the facility, to ensure client flow and processes are fully functional. The clinic is open for appointments by invitation only. The clinic is not currently open to the public. The Clearwater Arena clinic has been set up in partnership with the City of Sarnia and other sponsors as a backup site for additional capacity if/when substantial and sustained vaccine allocations are confirmed.  

Lambton Public Health is also developing a strategy to ensure every Lambton County resident receives a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at an appropriate time, and will invite residents directly to book their second dose appointments soon in the order they were administered.

In an effort to inform and maintain local vaccination records, Lambton Public Health released a survey to the residents of Lambton County earlier today to gather information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations administered out-of-province and out-of-country. Those that received vaccinations outside of Ontario and maintain a full-time or seasonal residence within Lambton County are asked to complete the survey on the Vaccination Reporting page of Lambton Public Health’s website.

On Thursday, May 27 at 8:30 a.m., Dr. Ranade is participating in another live Q&A Community Call-in Radio Show with CHOK’s Sue Storr. Tune into CHOK to listen live or call into the radio program to ask your question at 519-464-1070. Further information can also be found on LPH’s Events page.

Some local pharmacies are beginning to offer the Pfizer vaccine to their clients. To find a local pharmacy nearest you or for further information please go to the Ontario Government’s pharmacy locator.

Residents with COVID-19 vaccine inquiries or those who are having difficulty booking their COVID-19 vaccination appointment online are asked to call LPH’s dedicated Vaccine Call Centre which is open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The new Vaccine Call Centre can be reached at 226-254-8222 or visit the Contact Us page on LambtonPublicHealth.ca.

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

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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.