The medical officer of health in Chatham-Kent says the region is almost halfway to reaching herd immunity and bringing the COVID-19 virus to its knees.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said nearly 30,500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the region as of Wednesday. That's about 31 per cent of the population 16 years of age and older with a shot in the arm. Colby said around 75 per cent of the eligible population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, which is the percentage of the community that needs to be vaccinated in order for it to stop the spread of the virus.
Director of Chatham-Kent Public Health Teresa Bendo said temporary foreign workers at large area farms will start getting the vaccine next week.
Colby said two recent pop up vaccination clinics in Wheatley and in Highgate were very successful and administered more than 300 shots each. He admitted he was worried about the drive thru clinic in Wheatley not allowing for people to be properly monitored after the shot but said it went off without a problem.
He added some people from outside of Chatham-Kent showed up at the Wheatley and Highgate clinics to get vaccinated but he's fine with that because some Chatham-Kent residents went to Windsor area pharmacies to get the vaccine, and some who work in Windsor area long term care homes were also vaccinated at their workplace.
Colby also said he frustrated that he hasn't been able to convince more than 50 per cent of local long term care workers to get vaccinated.
"We've done our best to educate the population. It's a frustrating situation and I'm out of ideas," he said.
As far as what fully vaccinated people can do after the vaccine, he said stay tuned because the jury is still out on that. He added the public should not hesitate to get the vaccine.
"We're not part of any conspiracy theory except the conspiracy to keep everybody healthy," added Colby.