The Windsor Essex region is starting to see a steady stream of vaccine doses.
To date, 51,636 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Windsor-Essex. That includes doses of the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines being administered by Windsor Regional Hospital, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit and local pharmacies.
The health unit has given 5,120 seniors, 80 and over, the first dose of their vaccine. It expects to complete all 15,600 individuals who pre-registered by the end of the month. To that end, about 700 people in this group are being vaccinated daily.
"We ask for your help in checking in on your family and friends who are in any of these age groups," said CEO and Chief Nursing Officer Theresa Marentette. "Encourage them to get their vaccine, help them register, make an appointment, help with transportation, do whatever you can."
Daily vaccination rates of the 80+ age group will increase next week when two more locations are added as vaccination sites. In addition, the WFCU Centre will start to operate seven-days a week.
"Next week will be a busy week and we'll use lots of vaccine that has been allotted to our area," said Marentette.
There are 57 local pharmacies administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals 60-64. A full list of participating vaccines can be found here.
On Wednesday, Windsor Essex EMS will start vaccinating the homeless population at the temporary emergency shelter at the Aquatic Centre downtown. Anyone accessing services, who is not currently recovering from COVID-19, will be eligible for a vaccine.
“It’s difficult to adhere to a ‘stay at home’ order when you don’t have a home”, said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “We are grateful that our residents who face additional challenges from COVID-19 are able to access the vaccine."
New admissions to long-term care homes are also regularly being vaccinated. Vaccination efforts appear to be working as there are currently only two long-term care homes experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks. At each of these locations, only one staff member has been identified as positive for the virus.
"It was a good feeling to see we have a lot less outbreaks," said Marentette. "If you are looking at a group of people who have a high vaccination rate it's in the long-term care and retirement homes, so that is good to see."
