The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is anticipating mid-April for the start of phase two of the vaccine rollout in the region.
"Based on the current allocation of vaccines and what we anticipate in the next week or two, I would say mid-April," estimated Andrea McLellan, Director COVID-19 Immunization Strategy in the health unit district during Thursday's online media conference.
See: Ford wouldn’t commit to increasing North’s vaccine supply when asked Monday
McLellan estimates close to 5500 individuals 80 and older will be vaccinated in the region since the mass vaccinations clinics started giving out the shots on Monday.
In other areas of the province, individuals aged 75 to 79 are already booking appointments. Health Unit officials here say North Bay Parry Sound is not ready for that yet.
"We have also been advocating to the province to increase our allotment of COVID-19 vaccine and our member municipalities will be supporting our efforts by advocating for greater access to vaccine in our district," explained Dr. Jim Chirico, the region's Chief Medical Officer of Health.
"Earlier the province increased supply to pandemic hot spots in the province. That meant a reduced supply for our region in previous months. We would like to keep on pace with the rest of the province which has announced the commencement of vaccinations for those 75 to 79 years old."
Chirico admits the region does not have enough vaccine supply to open up to this cohort.
"We are hopeful the province will adjust the allocation to make up for the shortfall. As soon as we receive vaccine allocation from the province we have the clinics available and ready to get the needles in the arms of those that need them."
The Health Unit will continue distributing vaccinations for the 80 plus age category into next week with clinics open across the region.
Phase two vaccinations would include the following age and health-related categories:
- Adults aged 60 to 79, in 5-year increments
- High-risk congregate settings (such as shelters, community living)
- Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers
- Those who cannot work from home
- At-risk populations
