Vaccine freezers empty in C-K, Province launches online vaccine booking system

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is pausing the Vaccination Clinic at the Bradley Centre, while they await another shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Province of Ontario has released details about a new online vaccine booking system. However, CK Public Health says they will continue booking appointments over the telephone.

Vaccination Clinic starting back up Tuesday

CK Public Health officials say the Chatham-Kent COVID Vaccination Clinic at the Bradley Centre in Chatham were closed Saturday and Sunday, and will be on Monday as well, while local officials wait for their next vaccine shipment to arrive.

“Our vaccine freezers are officially empty, and ready for more vaccine,” CK Public Health officials said on social media on Friday.

“Thanks to the hard work of the (Vaccination Team), we have used up our current supply as quickly and safely as we can, and have completed our vaccinations for this week. We look forward to reopening the clinic on Tuesday, March 16. Clinic hours of operation will continue to fluctuate as vaccine supplies continue to be limited.”

Mobile outreach vaccination clinics were set to continue to rollout this weekend, public health officials say.

“Keep practicing public health, and keep each other safe,” CK Public Health officials say.

“Thank you Chatham-Kent for your continued support.”

Ontario launching provincial booking system for COVID-19 vaccines

The Ontario government announced on Sunday that they are launching a provincial booking system and customer service desk to support COVID-19 vaccination appointment bookings.

The portal will be live on Monday, March 15 at 8 a.m. and will be accepting appointment bookings at mass immunization clinics, starting with individuals aged 80 and older, Provincial officials say.

“We are making steady progress in the execution of our vaccine distribution plan, and the launching of the online booking system is another major milestone,” said Premier Doug Ford in a media release.

“In this phase of our plan we are still offering vaccines to our most vulnerable, so I encourage everyone aged 80 and older to use the portal to book an appointment. For everyone else, please be patient, as we get more supply, the vaccine will be offered to more people.”

Beginning tomorrow, individuals who will be turning 80 or older in 2021 (born in 1941 or earlier) and wish to make an appointment — or an individual trusted to make an appointment on their behalf — can visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine.

On this page, they will be guided to make an appointment through the provincial booking system, or their local public health unit if there is a local public health unit booking system or call centre in place.

When booking an appointment, individuals will be asked for information from their green Ontario health card, birth date, postal code and email address and/or phone number, Provincial officials say.

At the time of booking, eligible individuals will schedule their first and second vaccination appointments.

Individuals who still have a red and white health card, or who require assistance with booking, can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488 beginning on Monday, March 15.

“The provincial booking system will be critical in supporting the next phase of Ontario’s vaccine rollout as more vaccines become available,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a media release.

“We know everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, and as we continue to build capacity, we are making it easier and more convenient for individuals to book and receive the vaccine as quickly as possible.”

At this time, vaccination appointments are only available for individuals turning 80 or older in 2021 as part of Phase One of Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan.

Starting in April, the online booking tool and call centre will extend to additional age-based groups that are part of Phase Two.

The province is expecting a high volume of traffic to its online booking system, Provincial officials say, adding they know everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, but they are asking those not yet eligible to avoid accessing the booking system or calling the service desk to allow those that are eligible the opportunity to book an appointment.

“With the launch of the new provincial booking portal and support number we are reaching yet another milestone in our plan to vaccinate Ontarians as fast as we can and as soon as we receive the vaccines,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, in a press release.

“Our task force continues to work to bolster and adjust our vaccine rollout plan as shipments to Ontario continue to fluctuate. The portal and customer support number will prove instrumental through Phase 2 as we open mass vaccination sites and inoculate more Ontarians.”

Phase One of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is nearing completion, and the Ontario government is preparing to move into Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan next month, with a focus on vaccinating populations based on age and risk.

“The introduction of these booking systems puts in place the final piece in the province’s infrastructure to rollout its vaccination program,” said General Rick Hillier in a media release.

“There is now a fulsome range of options for the people of Ontario to book an appointment and receive their vaccine, but please only use them if and when it is your turn.”

For individuals turning 80 or older in 2021 who do not have internet access, please call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488, open Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Phone line remaining open in C-K

Following the Provincial announcement for the online booking system, CK Public Health said they are keeping their dedicated phone line open for people to book their vaccine appointments.

“Here in Chatham-Kent, we have decided to continue using our COVID-19 Vaccination Phone Line at 519-351-1010 for eligible residents to book vaccination appointments,” public health officials say.

“This will give us time to better study the new provincial system and determine when to integrate it into our operations to ensure that our vaccination program continues to run as efficiently as possible. Thank you Chatham-Kent for your continued support.”