Those who received their first COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 30 are now able to re-book second dose appointments.
During a virtual media briefing Wednesday, health officials with the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) said additional re-booking opportunities for those eligible would likely be available the following afternoon. On Thursday, the health unit confirmed over 40,000 appointments have been added to the booking system.
The expanded eligibility comes as the region prepares to receive its largest shipment of vaccines to date.
"We'll be receiving 42,882 doses of Moderna this weekend. That is in addition to the 25,000 doses of Pfizer that are expected to arrive [Wednesday], 19,000 Moderna that came in last Friday and another 38,000 or so Moderna that are coming this week," said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie.
Health officials say it's essential that anyone who received their first dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine between May 28-30 to not book an appointment before June 27 as 28 days is the minimum time allowed between each dose.
Mackie added that the region anticipates being able to vaccinate approximately 7,000 people per day come Monday.
The urgency to get people in the London area fully vaccinated is even greater now, health officials say, due to the growing number of Delta variant cases being identified.
This week, the health unit reported four additional cases of the Delta strain. The infections, which were being managed as COVID-19 cases over the last several weeks, have since been resolved. The MLHU later received lab testing results that confirmed the cases were the Delta variant. London Middlesex has now confirmed a total of six cases that are of the Delta strain.
"This [Delta] variant out competes all other variants to date," said Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers, referring to the Alpha B 1.1.7 strain that began to spread rapidly in the community earlier this year. "Over the next little while, it is fully anticipated that the Delta variant will become the dominant strain within our region."
Dr. Summers said it's imperative that people get their second vaccine as soon as possible to help prevent the highly contagious strain from spreading.
"In order for us to avoid any resurgence in activity we have to be very very vigilant as we move forward into the summer," Summers said. "This Delta variant has the potential to cause an upswing in cases if we backtrack on our public health measures or if we delay in getting a vaccine when the opportunity arises for us."
Rescheduled appointments can be made online at www.covidvaccinelm.ca or by calling 226-289-3560 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
