Vaccination update: 'Everyone who wants a vaccine will get one'

During its weekly press conference, health officials from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit gave an update on the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic and took questions from the media.

Andrea McLellan, Director of COVID-19 Immunization Strategy with the Health Unit provided a snapshot of the district's progress with the vaccination roll-out and shared the response from the public has been strong.

"We haven't seen the level of vaccine hesitancy that you often see in a new vaccine that comes out," said McLellan. "That's been a really bright spot that people are confident and trusting that this is something that will be helpful to us."

As such, McLellan added she would much rather "deal with an over-demand than an under-demand," but the fact remains vaccine supply continues to be an issue for the North Bay–Parry Sound district as distribution chains have regularly seen delays. 

See related: Chirico says vaccine rollout has been a challenge

See also: Who have provinces pegged to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks?

And: Health Unit says more essential workers will be vaccinated soon

Demand for the vaccine has seen both health officials and local politicians recently advocating for increased supply to the district.

"We now have over 30 per cent of individuals 18 years of age and older in our district that have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine," McLellan reported, but only 1.8 per cent have received two doses.

The numbers as of Wednesday afternoon show 33,012 people in the district have received at least one vaccination dose, with 1,655 of that total coming from local, participating pharmacies, she said. 

See: Health Unit comments on AstraZeneca vaccine now available to Ontarians 40 and up

McLellan added, "By the end of this weekend we will have completed the chronic home care recipients from phase one and we have begun to identify homebound patients who are not receiving home care services."

Vaccinations are progressing for individuals classified by the provincial Ministry of Health as phase two priorities, including special education workers, those with the highest-risk medical conditions and their essential caregivers, and people who live in high-risk congregate settings.

See also: Overlooked resident gets his COVID-19 shot locally

McLellan noted, "There is currently a lot of demand for vaccinations as more groups become eligible. We want to reassure the public that everyone who wants a vaccine will get one but we also have to follow the Ministry of Health's directions in the roll-out of the vaccine. We are limited by the supply we receive."

This high demand for vaccinations has also led to the phone system becoming overwhelmed with calls at times. To free up the phone lines, the Health Unit encourages those who are able to book their own appointments online to use that avenue. Appointments with pharmacies for vaccinations should be done with the outlet directly, by phone or online. The Health Unit does not book for pharmacies.

"Immunity from the vaccine does not build overnight," reminded McLellan, who noted it takes two doses to be protected. "Individuals who are vaccinated need to follow public health measures, including wearing face coverings; practicing social distancing; avoiding touching their face, nose, and eyes; washing their hands frequently; and, adhering to the stay-at-home order."