The first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Chatham-Kent on Monday February 22, 2021, officials with Chatham-Kent Public Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham-Kent Emergency Medical Services and the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team stated.
Local health care officials say an additional Pfizer shipment is expected for the week beginning March 1, 2021.
Also, an additional Moderna shipment is expected this week to support the distribution of second doses in long-term care and retirement homes on schedule.
These second doses for residents of long-term care and high risk retirement homes will begin via mobile outreach teams this week, local health care officials say.
The first doses for staff and essential caregivers of long-term and high risk retirement homes will also begin this week.
Local health care officials added that the vaccine team in Chatham-Kent will begin outreach to local health organizations in conducting a priority exercise to plan for the first health care worker doses, according to Ministry priority directives.
Hospital officials say the mass vaccination site at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre is ready to go.
“Local health system partners have been diligently preparing for further COVID-19 vaccine rollout to our priority populations,” Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials said on social media.
“A large part of this planning is creating a space where we will make history Chatham-Kent. We are pleased to share a quick snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Site at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham. Partners and local artists have created this clinic space with heart and soul to inspire and bring hope to our community.
Check out a video created to mark the occasion:
“Although the clinic is not open to the general public at this time, we look forward to the day with much anticipation when we can welcome all residents of CK to this site,” hospital officials say.
“As per the province’s ethical guidelines for vaccine distribution, the clinic will soon begin inoculating our next priority populations. Every day, we are one-step closer to bringing the vaccine to all of Chatham-Kent. Please continue to do your part and follow public health measures. Together, we can make sure we all get safely to the vaccine.”
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit released further details about of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in C-K:
“Chatham-Kent is currently in Phase 1A of our local vaccine rollout,” CK Public Health officials said on social media on Monday.
“Phase 1A includes the following populations: Residents, staff, and essential caregivers of long-term care, high-risk retirement and First Nations elder care homes; alternative level of care patients in hospitals; highest priority and very high priority health care workers, in accordance with Ministry of Health guidance.”
CK Public Health officials added: “Those who are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time will be contacted to book an appointment. We ask that the public not contact their family physicians regarding the vaccine, including our 80+ populations. As we know, information these days is coming from many directions, and often fast and furious.”
Local health system partners provided some further details about the vaccine clinic at the Bradley Centre:
“Please do not come to the clinic without a booked appointment,” local health care officials say.
“Ontario is finalizing an online registration and call centre for appointment booking that is not yet in operation (expected to open in early March). Pop up clinics in outlying communities, mobile team outreach, pharmacies, and primary care settings are all part of the long term plan.”
Local health care officials say health care workers can review priority documents to understand which phase they can expect to be eligible for vaccination. CK Public Health will engage with health care sector with support of CKOHT in appointment booking and planning, local health care officials added.
Regular updates about eligibility and vaccination clinics will be communicated via a variety of channels.
Visit www.ckpublichealth.com/covid-19-vaccine for the latest information.
