HPPH expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. Starting Thursday, May 6th, individuals aged 50 and older can book their appointment, as well as people who cannot work from home who fall under Group One of Ontario’s vaccine rollout plan.

People who cannot work remotely who fall under Group One include:

• Elementary and secondary school workers (including educators, custodial, school bus drivers, administrative staff)
• Workers responding to critical events (including police, fire, special constables, children’s aid society workers, emergency management, critical infrastructure, restoration workers)
• Enforcement, inspection and compliance roles (including by-law enforcement, building inspectors, food inspectors, animal welfare inspectors, border inspection officers, labour inspectors/WSIB field workers)
• Foster care agency workers (including customary care providers)
• Food manufacturing and distribution workers
• Agriculture and farm workers
• Funeral, crematorium and cemetery workers.

“We are making good progress with vaccinations in Huron Perth,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health. “The province set a target of 40% of the eligible population aged 18 and over to have at least one vaccine dose by May 1. We achieved 39.8% coverage in Huron Perth. I am very pleased that Ontario’s vaccine supply is increasing this month, allowing us to protect even more of our population against COVID-19.”

For a full eligibility list, visit HPPH's website. Once someone is eligible, they are always eligible.

“We know that many people have been waiting for their turn to be vaccinated. We expect the booking system to be very busy when it reopens and ask that anyone trying to make an appointment be patient,” says Dr. Klassen. “There will be enough vaccine for all Ontarians. Everyone who wants to be vaccinated will eventually have the opportunity to be vaccinated.”