Councillor offers to drive people to clinics
River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington says he has been concerned about the number of young people who have told him they're too busy working to get a vaccination or don't have transportation to a clinic.
So he is offering to drive anyone in his ward who hasn't had a first vaccination.
“I have time in the summer. I just want to eliminate as many barriers as possible. The biggest barrier has been mobility,” he said. “Pop-up clinics are good, but people have to get to those pop-up clinics.”
Brockington tracks the weekly vaccination rates.
“I see a trend among young people. A fair number have not had even one dose,” he said Monday after tweeting his offer to pick up at home any River Ward resident who has not had a first vaccination and return that person home.
According to Ottawa Public Health data, more than 94 per cent of Ottawa residents over the age of 80 have had at least one dose. That rate drops just slightly in each age cohort up to age 50 to 59, where almost 89 per cent have had at least one vaccination. Then it drops to about 84 per cent for those between 40 and 49 and 71.7 per cent for those 30 to 39.
The numbers are also relatively high for the 12 to 17 cohort in Ottawa, where over 81 per cent have had at least one dose. But the proportion of those who have received at least one dose drops to about 70.3 per cent for those between 20 and 29.
“The data doesn't lie. There seems to be a group between 18 and 30 (years old) who are not getting vaccinated,” said Brockington.
So far, Ottawa has received more than 1,229,000 doses of vaccine and has administered 92 per cent of its inventory, according to Ottawa Public Health's most recent data.
On Monday, OPH had first and second dose drop-ins available at eight locations. As of Monday morning, there were almost 1,500 doses available at the uOttawa Minto Sports Complex.
Upcoming vaccination pop-ups also include one at St. Joseph's Adult High School, 330 Lajoie St., from 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and the Howard Darwin (Merivale) Arena next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be pop-up clinics at the AMA Centre at 1216 Hunt Club Rd. on July 25 and July 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ottawa Public Health said it is continuing to work with community partners to provide more convenient and accessible ways to be vaccinated and has already conducted door-to-door campaigns in some neighbourhoods to promote pop-up clinics. OPH is also exploring other options for micro and hyperlocal vaccinations in select neighbourhoods, a spokesperson said.
As of Monday at 4:15 p.m., Brockington received no requests for a drive. However, River Ward residents who want to take Brockington up on his offer can call his office to make arrangements at 613-580-2486.
“I just want to get as many people vaccinated through as many channels as possible,” he said.