Employees at southwestern Ontario's largest hospital network who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 will have to wait a little longer to get the shot.
The London Health Sciences Centre has advised its staff the first-dose vaccination of hospital employees will temporarily pause as the province shifts focus to long-term care and retirement homes.
The Ontario government has said it wants all staff and residents at those facilities inoculated against COVID-19 by February 15.
"As a result of this expanded program focus and the continued challenge with vaccine availability and supply, the health units (Middlesex-London Health Unit, Southwestern Public Health, and Huron Perth Public Health) have advised that vaccine supply will be solely prioritized towards these populations, which will soon also include essential caregivers in long-term care and retirement homes," read an update posted to the LHSC's website.
Bookings for hospital staff at the LHSC's vaccination centre at the Western Fair Agriplex have been put on hold for the time being, except for those with a second dose appointment.
"As more vaccine becomes available and as the priority populations are completed, this situation will be re-evaluated," the LHSC said.
As of Wednesday night, 159,021 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Ontarians.
Vaccination of long-term care home residents in Middlesex-London began on Monday at Oneida long-term care. Residents at Country Terrace in Komoka and Chelsey Park in London received their shot on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Oxford and Elgin counties, 118 long-term care residents were vaccinated at Maple Manor in Tillsonburg, Extendicare in Port Stanley, and Peoplecare in Tavistock on Tuesday.