The local health unit is preparing six vaccine clinics opening later this month to deliver COVID vaccine boosters, first and second doses, and, potentially, vaccines for children aged 5-12 if they are approved.
On Nov. 3, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced further rollout of third dose mRNA vaccines to four new eligible groups, representing about 2.75 million people.
Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, confirmed in a media briefing on Nov. 3, the region's high-volume vaccine clinics will be opening by Nov. 15 in six sub-regions across Simcoe-Muskoka.
They will be located in municipal and community venues, and at least one school. The locations will be announced by the health unit soon.
Gardner said the approach is meant to be able to handle the volume of people eligible for third doses, those who still need a first or second dose, and, potentially children aged 5 to 12 who could be eligible for a vaccine soon, pending Health Canada approval and advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
The new groups now eligible for a third dose are people 70 years and older, healthcare workers and designated essential caregivers, people who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine, as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and non-Indigenous people living in the same household.
Previously, third doses were approved and recommended for long-term care residents, immunosuppressed patients suffering from chronic disease and/or undergoing active treatments, transplant recipients, and those living in high-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nation elder care lodges.
"We have been advised that we should be prepared for other segments of the population [to receive third doses], and maybe the entire population into next year," said Gardner. "We're not sure of the details on the timing of a rollout like that. We will need more information from the province."
Currently, there is no COVID vaccine approved for use in Canada for children aged 5 to 11 years old, however Pfizer has submitted an application to Health Canada for a children's vaccine. The exact timing on when and if that will be approved and available is unknown.
"We do want to be prepared for [vaccinating children]" said Gardner. "If those clinics are ready ... they can be available for that purpose as well as for individuals to receive their booster shots."
People eligible for the third shot will be able to book an appointment via the provincial booking system starting Saturday, Nov. 6. The community clinics, however, will not all be open by that time.
Gardner said people could still start booking when the new system opens.
The clinic at 29 Sperling Drive in Barrie, run by the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, will take bookings through the provincial system, with third dose appointments starting as early as Sunday (Nov. 7), according to Gardner.
Pharmacies and primary care providers may also be able to provide third doses to individuals who are eligible. Those who are eligible for a third dose are encouraged to reach out to a local pharmacy to inquire about appointments.
Currently, the health unit has paused its other immunization campaigns related to routine vaccinations for children and. youth through schools and their health unit offices.
