The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine for residents of long-term care homes in the Southwestern Public Health region began yesterday with 118 jabs at three facilities. Eligible residents at Extendicare in Port Stanley, Maple Manor in Tillsonburg and PeopleCare in Tavistock received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Due to a very limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine, this initial allocation was prioritized for individuals who have not yet tested positive for COVID-19. Those who have tested positive will have a level of natural immunity upon recovery.
The goal is to have the first doses of the two-dose vaccine administered to eligible long-term care and retirement home staff, residents, and essential caregivers in the region by mid-February.
Medical officer of health, Dr. Joyce Lock, noted, “As a result of significant planning and a strong partnership, the Pfizer vaccine was transferred from London Health Sciences Centre to homes in our region assessed to have an urgent need.”
