Walk-ins welcome for second COVID-19 vaccine doses
WATERLOO REGION — Walk-ins are welcome for second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday.
Appointments are no longer required at all public vaccination clinics in Waterloo Region for first or second doses.
People can still book appointments, but anyone can walk in and get immunized as long as enough vaccine is available at the vaccination clinic.
“With more vaccine available, and fewer people contending for appointments, we’re now able to accommodate walk-ins for both first and second doses,” said Shirley Hilton, deputy chief for Waterloo Regional Police Service and head of the region’s vaccine distribution task force.
“We’re pleased to be able to make it easier for residents to complete their vaccine series as soon as possible.”
Anyone who is 12 and older is encouraged to get their second dose as long as it has been at least 28 days since their first dose of Moderna or Pfizer.
People with appointments in September and October are asked to rebook an earlier appointment or walk in to any regional vaccination clinic for their second dose. To maximize clinic capacity this summer, appointments that are more than 40 days after a first dose will be cancelled with information on how to get an earlier second dose.
Along with public vaccination clinics, vaccines are also available at many family doctors’ offices for their patients, as well as at local pharmacies.
People are urged to complete their vaccination series as soon as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant.
“The more people who are fully immunized against COVID-19, the harder it will be for the virus to spread,” a news release read.
Dozen new cases in region
A dozen more COVID-19 cases were reported in Waterloo Region in the Wednesday update by public health, while active cases, hospitalizations and outbreaks all went down.
The total case count reached 18,223. Another 56 variants of concern cases were added for a total of 4,563. That includes 1,065 confirmed Delta variant cases. Active cases dropped by 15 to 149. Hospitalizations went down by four to 19, including 12 people in intensive care. Outbreaks went down by one to 11. Deaths remained at 281. Residents 12 and older who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reached 80.84 per cent, while 60.88 per cent are fully vaccinated.
A total of 718,655 doses have been given to regional residents.