Vaccines now available to walk-ins
No appointment needed at Evinrude Centre COVID-19 clinics as health unit pivots to reach out to thousands locally who have not had a first dose
All COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the Evinrude Centre in Peterborough are now accepting first and second dose walk-ins, Peterborough Public Health announced Monday as the health unit expands efforts to reach thousands of local residents who have not been vaccinated against the virus.
All residents who have received their COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days prior can now attend the Monaghan Road vaccine clinic for their second dose without an appointment.
“As Peterborough moves into the Stage 3 of reopening, it is more important than ever for residents to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” stated Donna Churipuy, the health unit’s chief officer of COVID-19 operations.
“If you plan to gather with people from outside your household, you are putting them and yourself at risk of transmitting COVID-19. For a safe and fun summer, get your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Last Wednesday, the health unit reported that 77.1 per cent of all residents 12 and up who
are eligible for the vaccine have had a first dose and 54 per cent have had both doses.
While the rate of people with second doses has increased sizably each week, first dose vaccinations have been levelling off.
As of last Wednesday, there had been 178,181 doses administered at Peterborough clinics, with 101,071 residents having had one dose, up from 99,592 a week earlier, while 70,736 have had two doses, up nearly 15,000 from 55,821 a week earlier.
The health unit announced Friday that it plans to slowly transition away from mass immunization clinics to other methods of vaccine delivery later in the summer in a bid to reach residents who have not been able to attend the larger clinics.
On Friday, the health unit also urged people eligible for a second dose to rebook their appointments for earlier times.
“Residents who have second dose appointments booked for August and into the fall are strongly encouraged to move up their second dose by either changing their appointment in the booking system or attending a walk-in clinic that is available now,” Churipuy stated.
To attend a walk-in clinic, residents should bring their Ontario health card and proof of residence in Peterborough city, county, Curve Lake First Nation or Hiawatha First Nation.
Walk-in clinics specifically for children 12 to 17 will be held Friday and Saturday at the Evinrude Centre from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walk-in clinics specifically for adults began Monday and continue on Tuesday and Wednesday running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Evinrude Centre.
Walk-in clinics for all ages 12 and older will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and continue next week from July 25 to 29 and also from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and next week from July 26 to 29.
A calendar for the available Peterborough walk-in clinics is posted at peterboroughpublichealth.ca/walkin.
Anyone who has receives a first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine but still has an appointment for one should cancel the appointment online at bit.ly/3BmCyUE.
Two new cases
There were two new cases of COVID-19 in the area over the weekend, Peterborough Public Health confirmed in its Monday report.
There are seven active cases. An outbreak continues at an unnamed congregate living setting in Peterborough.
Four new cases in City of Kawartha Lakes
Four new COVID-19 cases in the City of Kawartha Lakes were reported Monday by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, including one new case in hospital. The area now has three hospitalized cases, but there are no longer any in intensive care. Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay did not have any patients admitted with COVID-19 on Monday. There were no new deaths or outbreaks. An outbreak declared July 1 at the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing residence at 68 Lindsay St. N. in Lindsay is continuing.