--News Release
For immediate release
Algoma COVID-19 Immunization Update
Algoma Public Health (APH) continues to work with many community partners across the region<http://www.algomapublichealth.com/disease-and-illness/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/#partner> as more COVID-19 vaccines become available in the Algoma district.
Currently, long-term care home residents and First Nations elder care lodges are completing their second doses of COVID-19 immunization. This week, first doses are also being administered to long-term care home staff and essential caregivers and highest priority health care workers, as determined by the province's health care worker prioritization guidance<http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/Guidance_for_Prioritizing_HCW_covid19_vaccination_2020-01-08.pdf>.
In accordance with provincial direction, once first doses have been provided to all staff, essential caregivers and residents of long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes, and First Nations elder care homes, APH will be working with partners to make vaccines available to the remainder of Phase One populations.
This means that, as long as vaccine supply continues to arrive in Algoma in the coming weeks in March, immunization will begin to be offered to adults
80 years of age and older, and will continue to be offered to priority Indigenous adults in both on-reserve and urban settings. Also, once all highest priority health care workers have been offered first doses, health care workers in the "very high priority" group will also begin to receive immunization.
"I want to thank all the Algoma community partners involved for the tremendous collaboration and effort that has been under way," said Dr.
Jennifer Loo, Medical Officer of Health. "To those who are eligible for vaccine now, or are part of an upcoming priority group, please be ready to take the shot, when it's available to you. And to those who are not yet eligible, while you are patiently waiting, please support any loved ones who may need a helping hand in getting their vaccine."
Vaccine clinics being held throughout the district will be updated on APH's website<http://www.algomapublichealth.com/disease-and-illness/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/vaccine-clinics-in-algoma/>, in addition to updating the community on the number of vaccines<http://www.algomapublichealth.com/disease-and-illness/infectious-diseases/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-immunization-tracker/>
that have been administered.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments are not yet available to the general public.
When clinics are open to a wider population (including adults 80 years of age and older), booking instructions will be communicated through our website, social media and in the community through local radio stations and newspapers, local organizations, and health care partners.
Until the vaccine is widely available, we still need to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 in our region:
* Stay home as much as possible, and avoid gatherings, visiting or
having close contact with people you don't live with.
* Anyone who is ill, even with mild symptoms, must stay home and
self-isolate away from others.
* Avoid all non-essential travel
* Wear a mask as required in indoor public spaces and outside when
physical distancing cannot be maintained.
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