New Vaccination Clinic Opening in Tillsonburg

Residents in Elgin-Oxford who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine now have another place to get vaccinated.

On Wednesday, Southwestern Public Health announced that a new vaccination clinic will open on April 27 at the Lions Auditorium in the Tillsonburg Community Centre. This clinic will be the third in the region, joining those already operating in Woodstock and St. Thomas.

Even though the clinic won’t officially open until next week, residents can start booking appointments right away. It will operate on weekdays from 9 a. m. to 7 p. m.

“Southwestern Public Health serves a wide area and not everyone can travel to our Woodstock and St. Thomas clinics,” stated Jaime Fletcher, program manager of SWPH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.

“Having another vaccination site makes it easier for people to access vaccines.”

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Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar expressed his relief over this development.

“I’m glad that seniors and others who struggle with traveling outside our community, including those we regularly serve from surrounding areas, can now receive their vaccines locally,” he mentioned.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Joyce Lock, the medical officer of health for the region, thanked the town of Tillsonburg as well as Oxford County Paramedics and local officials for their assistance. The Oxford County Paramedics will handle vaccinations at the new Tillsonburg clinic.

“We couldn’t do this without such dedicated partners,” Lock said.

In Elgin-Oxford, all adults over 60 have been able to get vaccinated at clinics along with specific groups like workers in high-risk environments or those receiving chronic home care.

This past Wednesday saw an expansion of eligibility; now all adults aged 16 and older with a health condition deemed ‘highest-risk’ by the province are also able to get vaccinated. More details are available on the health unit’s website.

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“You don’t need a username or password to book your appointment, nor do you need proof of your condition. Just let us know what condition qualifies you when you book,” Lock explained.

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If you’re 50 or older and live in postal code N5H around Aylmer, Ont., you’re now also eligible for vaccination at one of these three mass clinics.

This change comes about two weeks after N5H was identified as a COVID-19 hot spot by provincial authorities along with several other postal codes across Ontario allowing them increased access to vaccine doses. Currently, N5H is the only designated hot spot between Waterloo Region and Windsor.

<p“When arriving at the clinic, please bring proof of age and address; your driver’s license works well,” Lock noted.

A recent one-day vaccination pop-up organized by the East Elgin Family Health Team quickly filled all available slots according to Lock. Hundreds of individuals over 50 are expected to receive their shots there during early May.

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If asked about opening vaccinations up for anyone aged 18 or older within N5H, Lock stated they would first assess how things go with those aged 50 and above before making any decisions regarding further expansions.

Premier Doug Ford previously mentioned that people aged 18+ living in hot spots would be eligible but did not specify how this process would work moving forward.

“Age remains a significant factor related to illness and hospitalizations,” Lock explained.”We want higher-risk individuals prioritized before we consider changes.”

The objective behind offering shots for ages 18+ is aimed at localized pop-up locations targeting neighborhoods with larger families or close-knit communities,” she continued.”It might be better there to ensure everyone aged 18+ gets covered while we focus on those aged 50+ initially.”

Younger age groups can still receive their vaccine through pharmacies participating in Ontario’s Astra Zeneca pilot program.

As of Wednesday , more than twenty-eight pharmacies throughout Elgin -Oxford are providing vaccines for individuals forty years old or above. Bookings should be made directly through each pharmacy.

“The best vaccine is whatever one you can get today. All three currently available options are effective , safe , so we encourage people not hesitate getting vaccinated whenever possible , ” said Lock.

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These announcements come as local health officials face an increase in cases amid ongoing waves driven largely by more contagious variants. On Wednesday , out of one hundred eighty-eight active cases reported within Elgin -Oxford , nearly fifty percent were linked back variants based statistics released from regional units.

Since this month started , Southwestern Public Health has documented over four hundred additional infections alongside five fatalities-four occurring just last week alone ; these deaths consisted two people ages seventy years old along with individual cases each within fifties sixties eighties demographic brackets. Specifically documented was death case involving male patient ranging seventies hailing from St. Thomastown recorded same day Tuesday.

“Since we’ve successfully immunized considerable portion population exceeding eighty years vintage beyond plenty elderly seventy-five range-it prompts our focus shift towards younger segments nearing sixty-seventies whom haven’t acquired doses yet… becoming susceptible acquiring conditions like contracting viruses illness resulting serious complications,” she remarked very straightforwardly explaining urgency surrounding enhancing outreach campaigns targeted segment demographics requiring immediate attention.”

“My strongest advice remains clear : Get your shot! While vaccinations aren’t foolproof against infections ; if infected-they significantly reduce severity symptoms experienced ,” she encouraged strongly emphasizing importance taking preventive measures proactive approaches maintaining good public hygiene practices follow guidelines set forth county officials implementing protocols alleviate risk levels during ongoing pandemic situation continuing unfold months ahead ! ““
Eligible residents encouraged visit dedicated website where scheduling link resides phone contacts provided [226]2893560 connecting team arranging necessary bookings promptly …”©2021, a divisionof Corus Entertainment Inc.

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