Vaccination clinic sees 372 people get their shots
COVID-19 vaccinations were given to 372 people over three days — April 15-17 — at the Buckhorn Community Centre.
You were met in the parking lot by a friendly navigator, Peter Miller, who asked you the questions we have probably all been asked at some time in the last year. Do you have a fever? A cough? Any difficulty breathing or shortness of breath? Have you travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days? Has a doctor, public health unit or healthcare provider told you that you should currently be isolating? When you completed the answers you were cheerfully escorted into the BCC and met by the next round of volunteers.
Peter Raymond was guarding the door at the clinic entrance making sure that protocol was followed. When I came with my questions he went into the clinic and brought Laura Hess to talk with me. Hess was the clinic manager from Peterborough Public Health.
Hess told me she couldn’t talk with me unless I had an OK from Brittany Cadence, the communications manager of the public health unit. I had talked with Cadence previously during the Buckhorn Daycare outbreak. I reached her on the phone. She remembered me and emailed Hess permission to talk with me. This is a sensitive situation. Precautions are being taken.
Hess said there were 16 volunteers involved and five vaccinators who were registered staff. The health unit is rotating through the city county clinics. The volunteers, who are specific to the location, greet and screen those getting their vaccinations.
Clients are guided to check in, where they are verified in the system. They are then invited to sit down and the vaccinator comes to them. They are vaccinated and then monitored for 15 minutes. If there is no reaction they are then free to go.
The clinic was well-run and well-received. It proved to be a great way of collaborating with the community.
Volunteers were happy to be giving their time to help protect community members. Miller, the navigator, had been at his cottage with his wife since October so he was there welcoming people and helping relieve any anxiety about the whole process.
One gentleman came into the parking lot as I was leaving. He asked me to verify that he was indeed at the right location. He came from Frankford, an hourand-a-half drive. The clinics were full in his area. He was very pleased to be able to get his vaccination here.
I would encourage everyone to get your vaccination as soon as possible so that we can stop this monster and enjoy a warm, rambling summer.
Trent Lakes Outreach Centre
The Trent Lakes Outreach Center (TLOC) runs a food bank once a month. The food bank is run entirely by volunteers and donations. Both food and financial donations are appreciated. They are a member agency of Kawartha Food Share from which they receive food supplies for distribution to clients.
The food bank is open the last Monday of every month at the Lakehurst Hall from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. If you wish to use the food bank first call 705-768-3590 for an entirely confidential and very brief application.
If you wish to donate food, call 705-768-3590 and arrange a delivery location. Non-perishable food is necessary.
If you wish to make a financial donation write your check to the Trent Lakes Outreach Center. Address it to TLOC, Box 197, Buckhorn, Ont.
TLOC is a non-profit organization.