Ottawa Public Health escalating COVID-19 vaccination efforts once again in face of Omicron threat

Ottawa Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches says the city's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is being reactivated as local COVID-19 infection numbers climb.

In a letter to Ottawa Board of Health Chair Keith Egli, Mayor Jim Watson and members of Ottawa City Council, Wednesday, December 15, the doctor explains more residents need to get their third COVID-19 vaccines in order to alleviate pressures on Ottawa Public Health's (OPH) case and contact management operations, and to ensure vulnerable people don't end up in hospital. 

“Evidence from clinical trials suggests that booster doses of mRNA vaccines given six months after the primary series elicit a strong immune response,” Dr. Etches writes. 

Approximately 283,000 Ottawa residents over the age of 50 have yet to receive a third dose.  

Dr. Etches says unvaccinated residents are the most at-risk from the increased community spread of COVID-19 and are more likely to experience severe illness and hospitalization. If eligible, OPH strongly encourages all eligible residents to receive their third dose. 

OPH is adjusting its immunization strategy to rapidly increase capacity to provide first, second or third/booster doses. 

Dr. Etches says, through the EOC, OPH and the City of Ottawa are working hand-in-hand to drive mass COVID-19 immunization efforts. 

“Earlier this week, we asked OPH employees across the organization to pause their routine work to support the COVID-19 immunization effort starting immediately,” she writes. “We have also reached out to local physicians and other alternative providers to increase the number of available immunizers. OPH is in the process of modifying the existing immunization strategy to offer doses to as many people as possible, as soon as possible.”

Dr. Etches adds, the best way to be protected and prevent transmission of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

She's also asking residents to remain vigilant by practising basic public health measures, including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and limiting close contacts. Employers are also asked to encourage employees to work from home, if possible.