All mass vaccine sites in Hamilton to allow walk-ins for first doses beginning Thursday
All mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Hamilton will operate on a walk-in basis for first doses beginning Thursday.
The city's medical officer of health announced the change at a board of health meeting Wednesday as part of a renewed strategy to target unvaccinated residents and capitalize on increased supply.
We have high levels of vaccine coming through and are getting to a point where we're ordering vaccine as opposed to being allocated vaccine," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson.
Richardson said public health will transition to walk-ins for second doses over time."
At this point we're making sure that's particularly accessible for those accessing a first-dose," she said, adding she hopes the walk-in model will allow health care providers to directly refer patients to vaccines without the need for an appointment.
Dr. Cathy Rison, lead physician for the McMaster Family Health Team, said in an interview the transition to walk-ins will be critical to convincing unvaccinated patients who need an extra, convenient step of encouragement to get a jab.
I talk to patients who say they can't be bothered, that it takes too long to book an appointment," she said. To be able to say, Hey, guess what? You can walk in right now, no appointment necessary. It's right across the street.' That's going to be huge."
Public health is also finalizing plans to make first-doses available for walk-ins at mobile and pop-up clinics.
Richardson said the goal is to allow vaccine administration in primary care and occupational health settings, long-term-care homes, emergency departments and others - on top of fixed sites.
By the end of August, public health hopes to fully vaccinate 75 per cent of residents living in one of Hamilton's 21 forward sortation areas (the first three characters of a postal code), said Richardson.
A Spectator analysis of data from the non-profit research institute ICES shows that goal is not yet within reach.
Only three FSAs in the city - L9G in Ancaster, L8S in Westdale and L9G in Dundas - have vaccinated 70 per cent of residents with at least one dose. Some FSAs, like L8L in the north end and L8H in the east end, have vaccinated just half of the residents with one dose.
Meanwhile, inoculation rates for fully vaccinated FSAs range from as low as 11 per cent to as high as 27 per cent. The city-wide average is 18 per cent.
Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com