Lambton Public Health is one of six Ontario health units chosen to take part in a pilot of the new online Provincial Immunization Booking System.
Starting Monday, the health unit is inviting all members of Lambton Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to test components of the system by booking their vaccination appointments. The inoculations are scheduled at fixed site clinics March 5 and 8 at the Point Edward Arena/Optimist Club Community Hall, and March 9 and 11 at the Wyoming Fairgrounds.
EMS Manager Steve Pancino said they're proud to play a role in helping the government test the new online booking system.
"Obviously our staff have been working under very trying conditions," said Pancino. "It's been an added level of stress for all of our staff throughout the pandemic, so this is very welcome news. I think 'relief' is a good word, and 'excitement' is another good word. The vast majority of our staff are planning to get vaccinated."
At the same time, Lambton Public Health is training its staff and readying its local call centre to help with the EMS bookings in preparation for a rollout to larger priority groups as dictated by the province, and as more vaccine supply becomes available.
“We volunteered to be part of this testing because we think it’s important to ensure our local booking processes and capacities are ready as we prepare to open our local fixed site immunization clinics,” said Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade.
The public health units involved in testing are only reaching out to a small group of individuals to participate. It is not currently open to the general public, only to those who have been identified and invited to take part in the testing of the system.
The new online booking website, as well as a new provincial call centre, are expected to be open to the public on March 15.
The other five health units participating in the pilot are: Grey Bruce; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark; Hastings and Prince Edward Counties; Peterborough County-City; and Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington.
