Durham has announced seven centres across the region where vaccinations against Covid-19 will take place for the general population.
A statement said Covid-19 vaccination clinics will begin operating from the first week of March – but only for priority populations.
These clinics will be in Oshawa at Durham College and Ontario Tech University, and in Pickering at Chestnut Hills Development Complex.
These clinics will be used for priority populations in accordance with provincial guidance. These clinics will not be open to the public at this time and we will not be taking any public bookings, the statement said.
It further identified other centres for when the vaccination would be available for the general populace.
Availability and distribution
In Durham Region, the Covid-19 Vaccine Steering Table (with representation from Durham Region Health Department, Lakeridge Hospital, and local primary care physicians) is planning and implementing Covid-19 vaccine distribution and administration for Durham residents according to the provincial plan, vaccine availability, and the provincial ethical framework.
Currently, we are in Phase 1 of the provincial plan. The Covid-19 vaccination plan for the broader population of Durham Region residents will be available as more information is received from the province. When this occurs, the Health Department will communicate details of the plan through our usual channels and by providing public information to local media outlets to help inform our community. Health care partners will continue to receive information through the Health Department’s normal process of communication, the statement said.
Current priority groups
As part of the province’s vaccine distribution plan, the immediate priority groups to receive vaccine in Durham Region are:
- Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes and First Nations elder care 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 Very High Priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
- Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities).
When all immediate priority groups have received vaccination for Covid-19, the remaining Phase 1 population will receive the vaccine, including:
- Adults 80 years of age and older.
- Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g., assisted living).
- Health care workers in the High Priority level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization.
- All Indigenous adults.
- Adult recipients of chronic home care.
How do I register for a vaccine?
You will be contacted directly if you are part of the immediate priority groups. There will be broad communication to the community and health care providers when appointments can be booked for those remaining in Phase 1. We will provide additional information about when and how to register (provincial sign-up website or a phone number to call to register), said the statement.