More Chatham-Kent residents will now be able to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
On Tuesday, Chatham-Kent Public Health opened up vaccine eligibility to residents with high-risk or at-risk health conditions, as defined by the province.
Individuals with the following health conditions are now able to book an appointment:
-Organ transplant recipients
-Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
-Neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised
-Haematological malignancy diagnosed <1 year
-Kidney disease eGFR< 30
-Pregnancy
-Obesity (Body Mass Index > 40)
-Other treatments causing immunosuppression
-Intellectual or developmental disabilities
-Immune deficiencies/autoimmune disorders
-Stroke/cerebrovascular disease
-Dementia
-Diabetes
-Liver disease
-All other cancers
-Respiratory diseases
-Spleen problems
-Heart disease
-Hypertension with end organ damage
-Diagnosis of mental disorder
-Substance use disorders
-Sickle cell disease
-Thalassemia
-Immunocompromising health conditions
People booking appointments will be required to confirm their eligibility when checking into their scheduled appointment time. Anyone not deemed eligible will not receive a vaccination and will have to rebook an appointment when they become eligible.
“We would like to thank our local primary care providers who have been referring their patients in the highest and high categories for appointments," said Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby. "With this new eligible group, we are working towards our goal in vaccinating all adults in Chatham-Kent."
In addition to chronic health condition categories now being eligible for vaccination, workers in licensed childcare settings will also be eligible to book a vaccination appointment starting on Thursday. Childcare staff will be provided a letter from their employer with further details.
Vaccination appointments can be booked by calling 519-351-1010 or by clicking here.
Residents are able to select a variety of appointment dates and times over the coming weeks at the Bradley Centre Vaccination Clinic. The health unit also announced a new mobile clinic scheduled for May 21 at the Wallaceburg Arena.
As of Tuesday morning, 31,183 people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through Chatham-Kent Public Health.