News

Key Stats

• Vaccine doses administered so far: 60,847
• Number of people completely vaccinated: 7,820

 Status updates:

• Approximately 65% of the adult population in Haldimand and Norfolk counties has now received at least one dose of vaccine. This number takes into account approximately 15% of residents who were vaccinated outside of the health district. 
• The Cayuga pod-style model was launched on Tuesday, June 1, and has been a great success. The clinic launched with a capacity of 800 on day 1 and has 1,200 appointments booked for tomorrow, Saturday, June 5.
• All eligible individuals are encouraged to book online using the provincial tool. Individuals who need assistance booking may contact the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900.
• Per the province’s media release: “As of 8:00 a.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021, individuals turning ages 70 and over in 2021, as well as individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before April 18, 2021, will be eligible to schedule an appointment to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a mass immunization clinic through the provincial booking system and call centre. Some public health units using their own booking system may expand eligibility sooner.”
• The HNHU successfully advocated for more vaccines over the last few weeks and has released many new appointments in both counties. If you are eligible for a first or second dose, please go online or call the provincial call centre to book. Please take the earliest appointments available to help us complete the “first-in, first-out” direction.
• Dedicated clinics for youth 12-17 and their households are scheduled to begin the week of June 14. Appointments for youth and their households at these dedicated clinics may be booked by calling the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900.
• At the time of first dose booking, a second dose appointment will be generated for youth (during the month of August), with the aim of having all students fully vaccinated by the time they return to school.
• Additional locations beyond the mass immunization clinics are being added whenever possible. Some pharmacies are also able to vaccinate youth. See the provincial list for whether local pharmacies in your community are able to vaccinate youth: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
• 15 local pharmacies are now administering Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Residents can look up participating pharmacies and booking options using the province’s lookup tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
• Residents of both counties are encouraged to take the first appointment they are able to get, regardless of location. Supports remain available for individuals who are unable to make it to a clinic due to transportation-related barriers. Residents can request assistance by e-mailing [email protected].

Information regarding second doses:

• The province is accelerating second doses for all Ontarians. Currently, residents 70+, high-risk healthcare workers and individuals who received a first dose prior to April 18, 2021 who would like to move up their second doses may now do so using the provincial booking tool or HNHU form.
• The Health Unit is attempting to contact these individuals to schedule second dose appointments so no one is missed, however, booking independently using the online tools available is strongly recommended. The Health Unit is unable to make calls fast enough to get everyone booked in a timely fashion. If you or a loved one is eligible for your second dose and have not received a call, please call the provincial line at 1-833-943-3900 or book on the provincial booking tool.
• The province released new direction to local pharmacies that administered first doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. Individuals who received their first dose of AZ at a pharmacy will be eligible for a second dose of AZ in pharmacy sometime in mid-June. Individuals who had AZ may also make an informed decision to book for Pfizer or Moderna second dose on the provincial booking tool or at a pharmacy.

For more information regarding the province’s schedule of accelerated second dose bookings, check the provincial website. Updates will be shared with the community as more groups become eligible for accelerated second doses.

Call for Volunteers

• The Heath Unit is seeking community volunteers to assist at the mass vaccination clinic site at the Cayuga Arena. Applicants must be 18+ and willing to volunteer on an ongoing basis from June to the end of September.
• Volunteer duties are non-clinical in nature and include screening, ensuring use of hand sanitizer and physical distancing, directing people to registration or immunization stations, and cleaning chairs and hi-touch areas as needed. Interested individuals may apply at https://hnhu.org/vax-volunteer.