The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting more than 31,000 people have been vaccinated for COVID-19 so far.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon says right now they are offering both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
“We were primarily getting Moderna in our catchment area so that was being rolled out through all our vaccine clinics,” explains Dr. Young Hoon.
“The Moderna supply to the province has become more unstable but in order to make sure we had enough vaccine the province started supplying us with Pfizer. At this point, most of our vaccine distribution will be with the Pfizer vaccine.”
To date, the health unit has administered 33,216 doses of vaccine, which works out to 48% of the region.
The Kenora Health Hub has the highest vaccination rate at 57%, followed by Atikokan 51%, Fort Frances 49% and Sioux Lookout 48%.
The Dryden, Red Lake, Rainy River and Emo areas are at 46%, 35%, 33% and 30% respectively
The province announced Monday that as of Tuesday, May 11, anyone with at-risk health conditions such as dementia, diabetes and sickle cell disease, as well as Group Two of people who can’t work from home including grocery store, restaurant and transportation workers will be eligible to book an appointment to receive a vaccine.
Effective Thursday, May 13, individuals 40 and over will be able to schedule an appointment to receive a vaccine.
In addition, due to increased vaccine supply the province is adding high-risk health care workers, dialysis patients, and all First Nations, Inuit and Metis individuals to the list of those eligible to book their appointment to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The government says it’s on track to have administered first doses to 65% of Ontarians aged 18 and over by the end of May.
As of May 9, over 6.2 million vaccine doses have been administered across the province, with over 92% of Ontario residents aged 80 and over and 91% of residents aged 75 to 79 having received at least one dose.
More than 48% pf the population aged 18 and over have received at least one dose and over 393,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including 95% of long-term care residents.
To book an appointment call 1-833-943-3900 or visit vaccine booking system
People aged 40 and up who would like to receive the AstraZeneca shot from a participating pharmacy can learn more on the Ontario Pharmacy Vaccine webpage
(With Files From Tim Davidson and Stuart Walter: Kenora)
