More details have been revealed today about the vaccine rollout for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Andrea McLellan, Director of COVID-19 Immunization Strategy, took on most of the questions in a North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit new question and answer online media conference which took place on Monday morning through the Health Unit's web portal.
McLellan says that they have administered a total of 4467 vaccines in our district so far.
"We are currently completing vaccinations for those residents in long-term care homes, and First Nation elder care facilities, and their staff as well as alternate level care patients in hospital who are now due for their second dose of the vaccine," she stated.
"Additionally we are currently providing first dose vaccinations for staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes as well as residents, staff, and essential caregivers in retirement homes who wish to receive the vaccine.
"Planning for the vaccine administration in the First Nations community in our district is currently underway and the vaccine will begin to be distributed this week.
"In collaboration with the hospitals in our district vaccinating our highest priority and very high priority health care workers is partly underway as well as individuals 80 years of age and older. Vaccines will begin to be provided to these groups in the next few weeks. When available details regarding clinic dates and times as well as how to book appointments for clinics will be shared through the media, social media, our website and relevant health care association," she continued.
With the two new vaccines approved by Health Canada last week; Astrazeneca and Johnson & Johnson, McLellan believes those vaccines should be a big boost to the regional vaccine rollout plan eventually.
"We are hopeful that these new approvals will speed up the rollout of our vaccines in our district and in northern Ontario," said McLellan.
"Things are beginning to move quickly with vaccinations and we will continue to provide regular updates to the community as more information becomes available."
McLellan says meetings are ongoing to figure out which option the Health Unit will take relating to pre-registering for vaccinations in the region.
McLellan noted that many health units have access to online booking systems but the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit does not have one.
"We needed to create something for seniors, for health care providers, and for the general public to be able to book appointments for our clinics," she said.
McLellan says the provincial booking system is expected to go live on March 15 and the call centre is expected to go live in the next week or a week and a half to allow residents to book appointments.
See related: Here's what you need to know about Phase two of the vaccine rollout
The province estimates between April 2021 and July 2021, up to nine million Ontarians will be vaccinated.
In our area, the main vaccination centres are expected to be set up in local arenas in five hub cities in the region including Memorial Gardens in North Bay and other centres in Parry Sound, West Nipissing, Mattawa, and the Sundridge area.
"Depending on the population that we are immunizing at that point in time, there may be clinics in smaller communities," explained McLellan.
McLellan says they are waiting for more guidance from the province as to when they can also allow pharmacies and doctor's offices the ability to give out the COVID-19 vaccine.
