THUNDER BAY - Members of Fort William First Nation are rolling up their sleeves for a COVID-19 booster shot and Chief Peter Collins expects the uptake to be just as high as the first round of immunizations.
“It’s important to our community. You can see it from our first go around in our vaccination clinic,” he said. “We had 100 per cent turnout for those clinics and we will probably get that same percentage here today. It’s important we keep protecting our community.”
Eligibility for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario expanded on Nov. 6, 2021 to include anyone over the age of 70, health care workers, designated essential care givers in congregate living settings, and First Nation, Inuit, and Metis adults. Third doses are administered at least six months after the second dose.
The first booster clinic in Fort William First Nation began on Tuesday and the vaccines are being administered by Dilico Anishinabek Family Care in partnership with the community and its health staff.
Collins said he anticipates between 120 and 150 doses to be administered on Tuesday with future clinics planned.
“That’s all we can squeeze in for today but we are going to set up another vaccination clinic for more booster shots in the near future,” he said. “We have the supply to do it, but we have to do a little planning to make sure we do it right.”
With cases in the Thunder Bay District on the rise, including an outbreak at St. Martin’s School, Collins said it’s important that FWFN members continue to protect themselves and their families.
“We continue to work on this particular issue. It’s a hinderance and you can see it growing in the city of Thunder Bay and the impacts on St. Martin School,” he said. “It has an impact on our community too. We are working desperately to get our five to 11-years-olds vaccinated as soon as possible and working with all levels of government to get that supply.”
Collins added that he is confident all members will once again roll up their sleeves for the booster just like they did during the first round of immunizations.
“All of our community members want to be safe and healthy and be around for a long time and they thought it was important for themselves and their families and they got involved and we are glad they did,” he said.
Fort William First Nation members can book an appointment for a COVID-19 booster shot by contacting the band office.
