A number of walk-in vaccine clinics are being planned to give residents a greater choice in how and where to receive their vaccines against COVID-19, says Roylene Bowden, Algoma public Health’s program manager for immunization.
These clinics will be offered in addition to the ones conducted by appointment at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
“We are going to do a combination of a few things and really look at how best to meet our community’s needs,” said Bowden.
Starting Friday, a walk-in clinic will be set up at the former Wal-Mart location in the Station Mall for anyone age 12 and up who is seeking a first, second or third shot, if eligible. The clinic will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The walk-in vaccine clinic is also open Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.(ages 12 and up), Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (for ages 5-17 only) and Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (ages 12 and up).
“You will see more walk-in clinics, you will see more clinics at GFL and Wal-Mart, as well as throughout our community, much like you saw with first and second doses,”
Algoma Public Health is planning on holding additional walk-in clinics in the region on Feb. 4 targeted at children age five to 17.
“We are working closely with the school boards and we do promote clinics through their channels as well for the five to 11-year-olds and 12 to 17-year-olds.,” said Bowden.
Currently, 53.4 per cent of children age five to 11 in Algoma have received at least one dose of vaccine, compared to 83.4 per cent of children age 12 to 17.
“We are really trying to work with their PD day in hoping we will get some good uptake and that will happen throughout the district,” said Bowden.
Second dose appointments for children age five to 11 are just beginning throughout the region because of an eight-week recommended wait between doses, which began in November.
“Our pharmacy partners have been phenomenal in immunizing the five to 11-year-old population,” said Bowden.
Although most of the vaccines currently being administered to adults are third dose booster shots, Bowden said there are still adults who are receiving their first or second doses of vaccine.
Bowden said 87.4 per cent of people age five and older in the region have received at least one dose of a vaccine, very close to the provincial average of 88.4 per cent.
“Provincially we are right on target in Algoma, which is wonderful news,” she said.
Additionally, 81.6 per cent of people age five and up in Algoma have received two doses.
“When I look back at all that has been accomplished in the last year from when we started immunizing our long-term care home residents and staff, it’s unbelievable to me. It’s almost surreal, to be quite honest,” said Bowden. “We have, as a community, really rallied together to ensure we maximize all efforts and vaccinate our population as safely, effectively and efficiently as possible.”
Although APH is concentrating on third dose booster shots, Bowden said plans are already being put in place for eventual fourth doses.
”The provincial guidance supports fourth dose immunization for those residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes and elder care lodges, as well as for the population living within congregate care settings,” she said. “There is lots of planning happening.”
Although there is currently a shortage of adult Pfizer doses and it is being reserved for those between the ages of 12 and 29, Bowden said that shouldn’t stop anyone from seeking a Moderna shot.
“We continue to promote the interchangeability of both vaccines. It’s most important to have you immunization and that additional layer of protection much more so than shopping around for product,” she said.
Bowden noted that clinics are not the only way to get vaccinated in Algoma. They can also be available form primary care providers, First Nations partners and pharmacies.
“There are lots of opportunities across the district of Algoma to do that through various immunization channels,” she said.