Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit set to launch Stage 2 COVID-19 vaccination clinics

By Victoria Williston

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit says 2,954 people in its region have received at least one dose of the vaccine since its roll out started.

First doses of the vaccine were given to 375 people, while 562 individuals received their second dose of the vaccine between February 15 and February 21.

Stage 1 will continue to be rolled out this week with second doses given to those who need them, and first doses given to staff and designated essential caregivers in long-term care homes and high-risk retirement homes.

The health unit says, due to another delay in vaccine shipments, a few COVID-19 inoculation clinics were pushed back this week.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is also working on a soft launch of its Stage 2 fixed vaccination clinic roll out.

When these clinics are able to open to a wider population, including adults 80 years of age and older, booking instructions will be made known on the health unit's website, and through social media.

Stage 2 fixed vaccination sites are planned for Smiths Falls, Almonte, Brockville, and Kemptville.  

Adults between 60 and 79 years of age will begin to be vaccinated in Stage 5 of the roll out, which the health unit anticipates will take place in April.

The Ontario Ministry of Health has set a three phase strategy and within each phase has identified priority populations. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has taken the phases and developed their own six stage vaccine roll out plan. 

  • Stage 1: Long-Term Care Homes/High-risk Retirement Homes Staff, Residents, and Designated Essential Care Givers
  • Stage 2: Highest priority and very high priority Health Care Workers and Adults 80 and over
  • Stage 3: High priority Health Care Workers, residents, and staff of congregate living facilities, such as group homes, shelters, low-risk retirement homes, all Indigenous adults, and adult recipients of homecare
  • Stage 4: Moderate priority Health Care Workers, Essential Workers like first responders, teachers, food industry, etc.
  • Stage 5: High Risk population which will be later defined by the Ministry of Health, and the beginning of age cohorting with ages 60+ to start
  • Stage 6: All others in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark that are 16 + and would like the vaccine

According to the health unit's medical officer of health, Dr. Paula Stewart, vaccines at the four community clinics will be administered by local healthcare professionals.

“Public health will have some lead people in the the clinic but the people doing immunizing are going to be nurses, they're going to be doctors, nurse practitioners from the community that are willing to come and help out,”  Dr. Stewart explains in an interview with CityNews. “It's a phenomenal undertaking.” 

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit says the timelines are subject to change based on the availability of vaccines.

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