THUNDER BAY – The push continues to get as many people in Thunder Bay a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, says medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille.
While the numbers show a huge disparity of late between those getting a second dose and those getting their first, with the former heavily outweighing the latter over the past two reporting weeks, DeMille said there’s still plenty of room for those yet to get a single jab.
“That may discourage someone who may not feel as eager coming forward, but there’s certainly a lot of opportunities for people to get their immunizations. Appointments have opened up at pharmacies. We have some primary care partners that are really doing some immunization and we anticipate that will expand as the larger clinics decline,” DeMille said.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit, which oversees most of the vaccination distribution in the region, have taken steps to encourage the vaccine hesitant to step forward.
They’ve held pop-up clinics, and this week added drive-through clinics for those who might have mobility or other issues that make attending a clinic more difficult.
The health unit has also created walk-in appointment opportunities and a daily back-up list for those who want a first or second shot a little quicker than what’s currently available through the booking system.
DeMille, who is aiming for 90 per cent of the eligible population to get vaccinated, said everyone’s got their own reasons for not yet booking an appointment.
According to health unit statistics, which may be underestimating the true vaccination picture in the district, 77.1 per cent of those 18 and older have had at least one dose and 44.2 per cent have been doubled vaccinated.
The province, which may be overestimating the numbers, has it at 84.1 per cent and 48.5 per cent.
“We started the drive through to give people different options. And the walk-in, that appeals to a lot of people, just if they’re driving by they can stop in and get the dose ... but there may be some unpredictability around that,” DeMille said. “So some people prefer the appointment. Access to online to be able can be challenging for some.
“It’s really trying to address everybody’s needs, eventually, in terms of providing them a space that they’re comfortable, that works for them, in order to come forward and get both doses of the vaccine.”
DeMille, who got her second shot on Thursday, also weighed in on the move to Step 3 in Ontario’s reopening plan, which is expected to come into effect on July 21, unless Premier Doug Ford convinces public health officials to accelerate things. That’s not expected to happen according to Health Minister Christine Elliott, who this week said the province is taking a slow and calculated approach given the fears surrounding variants of concern in Ontario.
She doesn't disagree with the logic.
“We do know this variant is a lot more infectious than in the past, that it can spread quickly, and it really takes two doses and somebody to be fully immunized for it to hold (off) the Delta variant. So we’re trying to balance getting enough people immunized so the province is protected, while at the same time being able to open up and allow people to do more things.”
