Over the past three weeks, District of Nipissing Paramedics Services personnel have vaccinated 164 homebound clients identified by the local LHIN as requiring vaccinations in their homes, according to a report from District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board CAO Catherine Matheson.
And, last week, paramedics administered the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to 54 clients and 12 support staff at a clinic held at the low-barrier shelter on Chippewa Street West.
"We were really pleased to see that vulnerable population immunized," said Matheson.
When it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit — to which the local supply of vaccine is allotted — and its community partners have had to adapt to bring the doses to those who face barriers in receiving them.
"We continue to plan our immunization strategy to meet the needs of the eligible populations within our district, said Andrea McLellan, Director COVID-19 Immunization Strategy for the Health Unit.
However, "A one size fits all approach will not work for everyone," observed McLellan.
In mid-March, Greater Sudbury paramedics began giving home vaccinations as part of a pilot program.
West Nipissing Coun. and DNSSAB member Dan Roveda spoke glowingly of the work of the district paramedics in the vaccine rollout.
"I want to compliment the EMS group getting the vaccines to the people who are housebound," he said. Roveda shared a homebound citizen in West Nipissing was prepared to call an ambulance to go to the vaccination clinic before the paramedics arrived to vaccinate in-home, "so, good work, thank you very much."
Two weeks ago, a North Bay man who fell through the vaccination cracks even after qualifying for Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout, got his first COVID-19 vaccine during a visit from paramedics.
"Paramedics continue to work with Public Health to administer vaccinations across the district — at mass vaccination clinics, at specialty setting clinics, and through in-home vaccinations where deemed necessary," said Matheson during the monthly local social services board meeting.
DNSSAB currently contracts out the delivery of paramedic services to three service providers in the Nipissing District: North Bay Regional Health Centre, Mattawa General Hospital, and the Town of Temagami, although a review is underway to explore DNSSAB's taking direct control of the district's ambulance service.
According to Matheson, over the next few weeks, paramedics will be visiting congregate settings to deliver more vaccinations to clients and caregivers. McLellan added one of the next focus groups is homebound people who are not actively receiving primary care but are considered homebound, nonetheless.
