HURON-PERTH – Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) has shifted online vaccine appointment booking to the Provincial Vaccine Booking System.
“I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while our staff transitioned online booking to the provincial system,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth.
For appointments starting Jan. 17, residents can book or call the provincial system now. Individuals are now able to book their first, second, or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
Appointments can also be made by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Alternately, residents can continue to call the HPPH booking line, 1-833-753-2098, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Moderna continues to be provided to individuals over the age of 30. Individuals, including children ages 5-11, will get the recommended vaccine for their age group.
HPPH mass vaccination clinics are also beginning to provide walk-in opportunities for select clinics. These opportunities are being shared at www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking and through social media channels.
As of Jan. 9, 2022, nearly 46 per cent of those aged 18 years and over have received a booster dose. This includes about 85 per cent of individuals aged 80 and over, and 83 per cent of individuals aged 70-79. More details can be found on the HPPH vaccination coverage dashboard.
Evidence continues to show that people who are unvaccinated are at much greater risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. The 20 per cent of the population that is not fully vaccinated are over-represented when it comes to hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths. Since April 1, 2021, 81 per cent of Huron-Perth residents treated in hospital for COVID-19 were not fully vaccinated. In the same time period, of all Huron-Perth residents who have died as a result of COVID-19 since that time, 69 per cent were not fully vaccinated.
“We urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated as soon as they are able,” says Dr. Klassen. “Vaccination is our best layer of protection against COVID-19, especially for our most vulnerable community members.”
Partners in Huron-Perth continue to provide as many COVID-19 vaccinations as possible. Clinics are open to eligible individuals aged five and older for first and second doses, as well as to those eligible for third/booster doses. For a complete list of third/booster dose eligibility, please visit: www.hpph.ca/thirddose. All clinics provide a family-friendly environment.
As in-person learning resumes, parents are encouraged to get their children aged five and older vaccinated. Pregnant individuals may walk in to any HPPH clinic for vaccination; no appointment is needed. A note is not required from primary care providers, obstetricians, or midwives.
Select local pharmacies also continue to offer COVID-19 vaccines. A complete list is available at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or are isolating because of an exposure, please do not come to your vaccination appointment. You will need to reschedule your appointment.
