No clinic booster appointments available in Hamilton as Omicron spreads at ‘alarming rate’

Hamilton announced no expansion to COVID vaccine clinics as Premier Doug Ford put out an urgent call for everyone eligible to get their boosters immediately.

No third-dose appointments were available in December for the public on the city's booking system as of Wednesday at 6 p.m. The only spots left were for health-care workers.

The reality on the ground was an obvious mismatch with Ford's pleas to those age 50 and older to get their boosters by the end of the weekend - before eligibility opens up Monday to anyone older than 18.

The interval between doses will also shorten at that time to 84 days instead of six months.

Nothing matters more than getting these third shots into arms," Ford said. Locking ourselves down out of this isn't the solution."

But so far there's no sign of a significant ramp up in Hamilton, despite the premier asking businesses to offer up their space and unions to organize clinics at workplaces. He also called on dentists, firefighters, paramedics and the general public to volunteer in the rollout.

We're going to ramp it up like you've never seen before," Ford said as he declared boosters the best weapon against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

We're going to make sure that in every corner of this province there's going to be someone there to give an Ontarian a booster shot," he said. That's the way out of it."

Medical officer of health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said Tuesday that public health is considering expanding hours or holding special clinics, with more information expected in the next few days.

Public health didn't respond to questions from The Spectator on Wednesday about how Hamilton's rollout will meet the increased demand or what expansion will take place.

Time is of the essence, as Ford described Omicron as moving at an alarming rate."

We are urgently setting back up mass vax sites and hospital clinics," said Ford. More and more pharmacies are coming online every single day."

Richardson said Tuesday that Hamilton is seeing rapid transmission" of Omicron.

The city reported 93 new COVID cases Wednesday - well above the daily average increase of 56. That seven-day average has risen sharply from 25 on Dec. 1.

There were 28 active outbreaks - up from 20 on Tuesday.

The Omicron variant is the most contagious," said Ford. Omicron is now on the verge of becoming the dominant strain of COVID in Ontario - in fact it may already be."

To help curb the spread, the government launched a holiday testing blitz that will see rapid antigen tests distributed at malls, shopping centres, Christmas markets, transit hubs and LCBOs.

Tests will be given out Thursday in Hamilton at Dundurn Castle at 610 York Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by the province's GO-VAXX bus.

The holiday blitz is on top of 11 million tests sent home with Ontario's schoolchildren.

Every test we have is on its way out the door," said Ford. We continue to urge the federal government to send us as many tests as they're able."

Lastly, Ford put new capacity limits on venues with the largest crowds indoors where people are often unmasked."

As of Saturday, any venue that holds 1,000 people or more is capped at 50 per cent capacity including stadiums, concerts and event spaces.

It's unclear if this will affect any already scheduled events in Hamilton. FirstOntario Concert Hall has three events booked over the holidays - the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tenors and Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert.

FirstOntario Centre has Bulldogs hockey games in December and a Toronto Rock lacrosse match Saturday.

Ford didn't rule out further restrictions but made it clear that he sees booster shots and rapid tests as the best weapons against Omicron.

Everything is on the table," he said. But he also stated at the same briefing, We aren't going to lock down the system and try to get out of this."

Joanna Frketich is a health reporter at The Spectator. jfrketich@thespec.com