Three pharmacies in Chatham-Kent have been added to Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
The province announced on Thursday that the Shoppers Drug Mart at 420 Queen Street in Chatham, the Rexall at 401 St. Clair Street in Chatham, and MacTavish Pharmacy at 480 St. George Street in Dresden could start taking appointments as early as Saturday.
The three pharmacies in Chatham-Kent are part of the nearly 380 additional pharmacies province-wide that will start offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals aged 55 and over. The expansion brings the total number of pharmacies offering the vaccine to nearly 700 locations and that number is expected to reach approximately 1,500 by the end of April. Ontario will not use AstraZeneca vaccine for individuals under 55, while data is being reviewed by Health Canada after the National Advisory Commitee on Immunization recommended the province to hold off. Those interested in booking an appointment, can click here to find a participating pharmacy and can contact the pharmacy directly to make an appointment.
The province added work also continues to offer vaccines at primary care settings and community locations, such as doctors' offices, in collaboration with public health units and appointments are not being taken yet.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby supports the pharmacy vaccination plan because it helps the community get closer to "herd immunity," the portion required to immunize a community against a disease.
"Herd immunity is a beautiful thing. The more routes and the easier it is to get people vaccinated, the better it'll be for everyone."
Colby said by the end of Friday, 25 per cent of Chatham-Kent residents over the age of 60 will be vaccinated against COVID-19. He added the majority of those are first doses but some, such as residents of long term care and retirement facilities have received their second doses.
To date, almost 22,400 have received their COVID-19 vaccines in Chatham-Kent.
Chatham-Kent Public Health is reminding the public that call centre staff to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments will be off Good Friday but will be resuming call backs on Monday.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance said the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the St. Clair College Health Plex Chatham will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
