The North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit will be holding COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week including two clinics for children five to 11 years of age. All child and youth clinics are by appointment only, at this time.
Bring a health card or another form of identification, if possible, as well as any required documentation for those with underlying health conditions eligible for a third dose. Eligible individuals who received their last dose before June 5, 2021, will be able to book and receive their booster dose this week. Flu shots will also be available for those with COVID-19 appointments at the adult clinics this week.
Meanwhile, in response to the rapidly rising COVID-19 cases among children and youth and to minimize infection rates in school settings, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has revised the class order for self-isolation, to include those 18 years and younger who are not fully vaccinated and who live in the same house with an unimmunized person who has been identified as a close contact to someone with COVID-19.
Youth are now required to self-isolate for 10 days along with the close contact in that household.
The updated order will remain in effect until the medical officer of health declares it is no longer needed.
“In-person learning is essential for the overall well-being of children and youth and keeping schools open is one of our highest priorities,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, SMDHU Medical Officer of Health. “This additional public health measure aims to decrease the number of asymptomatic children entering the schools, which in turn will protect more student cohorts and minimize learning disruptions due to COVID-19.”
As of November 23, the health unit reports that about 25 per cent of COVID-19 cases are in children under 12 years of age, who until this week have been ineligible for immunization. A contributing factor to transmission in schools is close contact between individuals within households, particularly if individuals are not fully vaccinated. Of all school-aged cases in the region, approximately 50 per cent are the result of close contact in the household.
Clinics this week include:
North Bay
- Thursday, Nov. 25 at Elks Lodge (325 Elks Lane, North Bay) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 28, Child and Youth Clinic at One Kids Place (400 McKeown Ave., North Bay) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parry Sound
- Friday, Nov. 26 at Parry Sound Mall (70 Joseph St., Parry Sound) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 27, Child and Youth Clinic at The Sound Community Hub (86 Gibson St., Parry Sound) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sturgeon Falls
- Wednesday, Nov. 24 at Marcel Noel Hall (219 O’Hara St., Sturgeon Falls) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Only individuals five to 11 years of age will be able to secure an appointment at a Child and Youth Clinic; however, older siblings or parents will be able to receive an adult dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at these clinics if they are accompanying a child to their appointment.
Appointments are now available for Child and Youth Clinics. To book an appointment or for more information, visit myhealthunit.ca/GetVaccinated, or call the Health Unit Call Centre: 1-844-478-1400 or 705-995-3810.
