Haldimand-Norfolk tops 40,000 vaccine shots, preaches patience as eligibility expands
When she needs a dose of optimism, Kim Mullins walks from her office at Norfolk General Hospital to the COVID-19 vaccine clinic downstairs.
There, the hospital's vice-president of patient care watches residents arm themselves against the virus while doing their part to keep their neighbours out of the ICU.
It's such a happy place to be down there. People are so thankful," Mullins said.
Every day we hear people saying, I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is such a positive feeling, getting the vaccine.' We've seen that in our staff. They're so excited to work down there and be involved in that. So that is a huge good news story for us."
More than 13,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered at the NGH clinic, among just over 40,000 total shots given out in Haldimand-Norfolk thus far.
That translates to roughly 35 per cent of the population now partially protected against COVID-19, said Norfolk EMS chief and vaccine task force lead Sarah Page.
The amazing staff we have at the health unit, both facilitating clinics and doing all the background planning, in collaboration with all of our community partners have worked so hard to reach this milestone," Page said.
We have more work to do and more vaccinations to deliver, but we are pushing forward as quickly as we can with the supply we're receiving from the province."
Early on in the rollout, the health unit decided to recruit some 15 family doctors to give out the Moderna vaccine to their patients.
Being able to provide vaccinations, as well as answer any individual questions my patients may have, has been a rewarding experience," said Dr. Mark Ghesquiere of Simcoe.
Our goal is always to do what is best for our patients, and right now, in this pandemic, getting as many people as possible vaccinated safely and efficiently is the No. 1 goal."
Mass vaccination clinics at the Delhi and Cayuga arenas continue, with the Vittoria community hall used for priority populations such as migrant farm workers.
Page said 1,300 migrant workers have been vaccinated locally, with more getting their first shot upon landing at the airport.
On Monday, the province expanded vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 or older, as well as essential workers such as first responders, school and child-care employees, and factory workers.
Page said eligible residents can now book their shot through the provincial system or by contacting the health unit.
When they get their shots will depend on supply. Haldimand-Norfolk is not a hot spot, and the health unit does not expect a surge of vaccines to arrive any time soon.
Second shots are scheduled to resume in June, based on supply projections from the province.
We anticipate that we will have sufficient vaccine, so there won't be gaps in service," said medical officer of health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai.
Page asked residents for patience once every adult in Ontario is able to book a shot later this month.
We will not have the capacity to complete all of those first doses by the end of May," she said.
We're projecting that our first doses will go well into the summer."
J.P. Antonacci's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows him to report on stories about the regions of Haldimand and Norfolk.