Updated 12:45 p.m. on March 4
Appointment booking will re-open March 5 at 9:30 a.m. after available appointments were booked in 18 hours.
--
Original Post:
Huron Perth Public Health is opening up COVID-19 vaccine appointments to adults aged 80 and older, and Indigenous adults aged 55 and older. Appointments can be booked online at http://www.hpph.ca/vaccine or by calling 1-833-753-2098. Have your OHIP card ready.
The phone line opened today as of 2:30 p.m. and will be staffed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The line will also be staffed Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7. Appointments are for clinics over the next few weeks in several locations across Huron-Perth, including Goderich and Stratford as well as rotating across municipalities in Huron and Perth.
The Health Unit asks people to book their appointment online if they are able, or have a caregiver who can help them book online, since phone lines are very busy. If you call, please listen to the recording and wait to be connected to a scheduler. Caregivers and spouses who are under 80 years of age are not eligible for the vaccine at this time.
Eligible groups for first-dose vaccination: -Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, retirement homes, and any residents of these settings that have not yet received a first dose of vaccine. -Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors. -"Highest Priority" health care workers, followed by some "Very High Priority" health care workers. -Residents and staff in other congregate care settings for seniors, including assisted living facilities. -Adults over the age of 80 (born in 1941 or earlier) -Indigenous adults aged 55 and older (born in 1966 or earlier)
Eligible health care workers are being contacted directly and will receive booking directions from their employer.
In Grey and Bruce, the COVID-19 vaccine is set to start rolling out, and the Grey Bruce Health Unit will contact and book appointments for those 80 years old and older.
The health unit is currently working with family physicians and organizations providing home care to obtain their patient lists. Doctors or home care agencies will contact their patients and clients to make an appointment as the public cannot book an appointment as of yet.
Those outside of this age group, including those with health conditions, are directed to use the provincial booking system following March 15th.
Clinics and other venues where the vaccine will be administered are being developed this week. No appointments are currently available, and appointments won't be available by calling the Health Unit at this time.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit staff will provide the clinics with the supply of vaccine, the registration of all patients and receipts for proof of vaccine.
--with files from Janice Mackay