3 local health units have gotten increased COVID-19 vaccine supply which has lead to more eligibility for the public.
Huron Perth Public Health, Middlesex London Health Unit and the Southwestern Public Health will see vaccine eligibility include community members who are 80 and older along with Indigenous adults 55 and older.
HPPH will be opening a public booking system (online and over the phone) with clinics slated to begin in early to mid March.
Healthcare workers in provincially-prioritized groups will also be able to start getting their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Among the groups now eligible to receive the vaccine are:
– Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes and First Nations elder care homes, and any residents of these settings that have not yet received a first dose of vaccine.
– Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
– Frontline healthcare workers working in hospital inpatient settings and hospital procedural areas, including surgical care, obstetrics, endoscopy, operating rooms, dialysis, imaging, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Other ambulatory and out-patient care areas are not included at this time.
– Residents and staff in other congregate care settings for seniors, including assisted living facilities.
– Hospital and acute care healthcare workers in frontline roles with COVID-19 patients and/or with a high-risk of exposure to COVID-19.
– Patient-facing healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 response.
– Medical First Responders
– Patient-facing community healthcare workers serving specialized populations (such as Needle exchange/syringe programs, home and community care healthcare workers)
– Residents and staff in other congregate care settings for seniors, including assisted living facilities.
For a full list of all healthcare workers and sectors currently eligible for a first-dose, visit: https://www.hpph.ca/en/health-matters/covid-19-vaccine-information.aspx.
