Vaccinate to prevent a fall resurgence, Ontario's top doctor urges

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, continues to urge as many residents as possible to get vaccinated to prepare for fall and back to school.

About 2.2 million Ontario residents still haven't received their second doses and two million residents have not had a single dose, Moore said during a news conference Tuesday. Some are not eligible, but 2.5 million of the unvaccinated and under-vaccinated are eligible.

Ontario reported 127 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday and two new deaths, the 12th consecutive day in which COVID cases numbers in the province remained below 200. Ottawa Public Health reported two new confirmed cases, but no new deaths.

But Moore warned there may be a resurgence in the fall.

“There is only six weeks to go before September, when the weather drives us indoors again,” said Moore, who anticipates a rise in cases in September and reminded residents that it takes six weeks to receive both shots and develop immunity.

“We know there will be an increase in cases as we reopen the economy and move into the fall.”

Moore wouldn't rule out offering multiple incentives in the push to achieve immunization levels of 90 per cent or higher. In the United States, incentives ranging from free childcare to cover appointments and recovery to free rides to clinics have been offered.

In Ottawa, 83 per cent of residents over 18 years old have received their first doses, and 67 per cent are fully vaccinated with second doses, while thousands more are booked to be vaccinated before Aug. 15, Ottawa Public Health said Tuesday.

With fewer people still needing vaccine appointments, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health are consolidating community vaccination clinics. Beginning Wednesday, clinics will operate at five locations:

■ Eva James Memorial Community Centre, 65 Stonehaven Dr.

■ Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave.

■ Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. W.

■ Queensway Carleton Hospital, 3045 Baseline Rd.

■ Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, 265 Centrum Blvd.

Anyone with a future appointment at a previously available community clinic is encouraged to rebook now for an earlier date at the most convenient location. Efforts are also under way to reach out directly to individuals.

Appointments may be made through the provincial booking system to find a convenient time and date, or you can drop in at select clinics without appointments. Drop-in locations are also updated daily on ottawapublichealth.ca.

Other vaccination locations include pop-up clinics for people in priority neighbourhoods or local pharmacies that accept appointments. Meanwhile, a popup vaccination clinic for children and youth from 12 to 17 and their families will be held from Monday, July 26, to Thursday, July 29, CHEO announced Tuesday.

The first come, first served clinic will be held between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the University of Ottawa Minto Sports Complex, 801 King Edward Ave. Parking is free and the site is accessible by OC Transpo.

Vaccinations will be provided by CHEO and the Kids Come First Health Team, including Roger Neilson House, community pediatricians and family physicians.