February 26, 2021 - The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is actively rolling-out the COVID-19 vaccination program in the TBDHU area. This has been in partnership with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and many other health care, Indigenous and community partners both in Thunder Bay and District communities. As per provincial direction, the full roll-out will take place in three phases over the coming months and through to the fall. During this time, everybody who wants the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to receive it.
Recently the province provided greater details on the priority group for Phase 1. These include:
- Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes (LTCH), 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).
With significant progress made on LTCH, the priority groups can be expanded to include:
- 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.
Building off strong relationships, TBDHU has been engaged in planning and preparedness activities in the past two months with many partners focused on these priority groups. Significant progress was achieved this past week with the immunization of health care workers, essential care partners and staff of LTCH through the immunization clinics delivered by TBRHSC as well as immunization in congregate living setting for seniors and for First Nation communities and high risk populations. Further activities are planned for next week, including further roll-out of vaccine to District communities.
TBDHU intends to open an immunization clinic to administer doses to eligible individuals. This clinic will be located at the CLE Coliseum in Thunder Bay. Plans for other clinics in Thunder Bay and District communities are still underway, but it is expected that the vaccinations will be offered in settings such as community clinics and health care institutions.
For more information about the provincial plan visit: Ontario’s vaccination plan.
Visit TBDHU.com/coronavirus for more information.
-30-
For more information - Health Unit Media: news@tbdhu.com