In an effort to inoculate at least 75 per cent of eligible residents in London and Middlesex County against COVID-19, the region's health unit will open three additional mass vaccination clinics.
The Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) outlined its strategy to get the vaccine into the arms of at least 377,685 locals over the next several months in a newly released vaccination plan. The 36-page document states the additional clinics will be needed during phase two when essential workers, at risk populations, older adults, and those in shelters, group homes, and corrections facilities will be vaccinated. By that time, the health unit anticipates it will be administering 3,000 shots per day.
"With the objective of 3,000 vaccines per day delivered through mass vaccination clinics in the region, MLHU is pursuing three additional mass vaccination clinic locations. This process is occurring in close consultation and with support of the City of London and Middlesex County," the plan states.
Site selection is currently underway with plans to have each facility ready for operation by mid-February. Once they are up and running, the clinics will be open seven days a week, however hours of operation will vary.
To meet the vaccination goal of 3,000 vaccinations per day, staff at the clinics will have to administer 14 shots per hour.
Mobile teams made up of Middlesex-London Paramedic Service personnel will be deployed to groups who are unable to access the mass vaccination clinics, such as shelter residents, group home residents, and housebound individuals.
Middlesex London requires a total of 755,370 doses of the vaccine to be able to vaccinate the required number of people to reach appropriate herd immunity, the plan notes. Two doses are required for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for a recipient to be fully inoculated against the virus.
Vaccinations will be administered in the region in accordance with the provincial three-phased distribution plan. Phase one will see an estimated 15,600 long-term care and and retirement home residents and staff, 22,000 health care workers, and 7,389 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit persons receive the shot locally. In phase two vaccinations will be given to 78,510 essential workers, 34,5444 adults over 75, and 84,328 adults 60 to 74. Those considered to be most at risk and anyone in additional congregate care settings like shelters or group homes will also be immunized during this phase, but no estimated population size was provided for those groups. Phase three vaccinations will go to all other remaining eligible Ontarians.
"The Ministry of Health directs the allocation of the vaccine. However, vaccine supply differs by region, and further prioritization may be required," the plan states. As a result of that, the Middlesex-London Health Unit has agreed to a consistent and aligned plan regarding prioritization with the Huron Perth Public Health Unit and Southwestern Public Health.
The health unit is giving area residents a chance to review the vaccination plan and add their thoughts through an online survey. The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete and will be available until February 3.
To see the full vaccination plan or to take the survey click here.