There’s no doubt most of us are tired of hearing about COVID-19. The pandemic has been a marathon. However, Southwestern Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Joyce Lock has this reminder. After 19 months, the variants of concern have changed the playing field.
Dr. Lock stresses, “It is not the same virus as it was last year.” The Delta variant is a game-changer.
The good news is as of this past weekend, 78.2% of eligible residents in the Southwestern Public Health region have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. And, 59.7% are fully immunized. The disturbing news, that still leaves a lot of people who are not fully vaccinated.
The Delta variant is sending more young people to hospital.
Dr. Lock cautions, your age will not protect you from the coronavirus.
She adds getting vaccinated is the best chance we have “to emerge from this pandemic and reduce the restrictions we’ve been living under.”
Jaime Fletcher, program manager overseeing the region’s COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force adds, “Our team is here to reassure you and answer your questions. We can book your appointment for you. Or, you can walk right in to a clinic.
“We also have in-vehicle vaccinations at our Mass Immunization Clinics and pop-up clinics happening across the region.”
Dr. Lock notes there is no value in delaying vaccination any longer. The health unit is now targeting those between the ages of 12 and 39. With pop-up clinics now being offered, the time to act is now.
SWPH urges anyone who is 28 days past their first dose to get their second dose as quickly as possible by walking into a clinic or rebooking online at http://www.covidvaccineLM.ca.
Anyone who needs help booking or rebooking can call 1-800-922-0096 ext. 9 from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday.
