The Grey Bruce Health Unit said they are working with local practitioners to start getting residents 80 and older vaccinated.
In a statement released Sunday, the Health Unit said it has been getting lots of calls from clients 80 and over wanting to know when and where they will get their COVID-19 vaccine. While the Health Unit continues to work on securing dose counts and organizing clinics, they have asked that for the time being that people not call their healthcare providers or the Health Unit to book appointments.
For now, the Health Unit said it is operating with limited vaccine supplies. However, this week a number of different clinic models will rollout in conjunction with primary care.
For smaller practitioner-based clinics, a physician will call all the patients and will make arrangements to immunize. Meanwhile, select larger Family Health Team clinics with larger numbers of patients will hold local physician led clinics. In both cases, Public Health will assist with data support.
Select community clinics will combine clients from a number of different physician practices for large numbers of clients. These will be organized by the practitioners with Public Health providing support with an immunizer and data entry.
Public Health will continue to work with practitioners to organize and support clinics over the next week. For the being, the Health Unit will use the hub model and other community sites as practices identify needs for additional space.
The statement added that Public Health anticipates fully opening larger community-based clinics when the province “goes live” with the online scheduling on March 15.
For anyone who without a primary care provider, a 1-800 number will be available to book anyone who was not captured through the health care system.
"Be reassured that all eligible persons will be reached through a variety of communication channels," said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra in the statement.
To stay up to date, please continue to visit the Public Health Unit’s website here.