KENORA – Ontario has opened its vaccine booking system to those born in 1951 or earlier in the Northwestern Health Unit, but the agency says appointments will remain in short supply.
The health unit made the announcement in a press release embargoed until two hours after the provincial booking system opened to residents 70 to 75 on Friday morning.
“NWHU clinic availability is limited at this time, but more clinics will be added to the provincial booking site in the upcoming week,” the agency stated. “If there are no appointments left in your community, NWHU asks the public to be patient and to try back in a few days.”
There will be “multiple clinics in all communities” in April, the health unit said.
The health unit announced earlier in the week that vaccine clinics were full, and some existing appointments had to be rebooked, due to shortages of the Moderna vaccine.
Vaccines will also be administered at several pharmacies in the NWHU.
As well as those 70 and above, others who remain eligible to book appointments include: health care workers, including staff who work in congregate living settings, adult home care recipients, faith leaders who provide end of life care or visits to the unwell, and Indigenous adults including Métis 18 and above (along with household members).
Over 11,000 vaccine doses had been administered in the NWHU as of Thursday. The health unit serves an estimated population of 82,231.
Individuals aged 16 to 59 had received 6,101 doses, those 60 to 74 had received 1,880 doses, and those 75 and above accounted for 3,063 doses (the age for another 17 was listed as “unknown”).
Tbnewswatch has reached out the Northwestern Health Unit for further clarification on vaccine clinic availability.
