Operation Remote Immunity 3.0 has ended after coordinating nearly 200 COVID vaccine clinics in 29 remote First Nations communities served by the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.
Indigenous Services Canada partnered with the two agencies to provide first, second and third doses of the vaccine, including pediatric doses.
The collaboration also included Nishnawbe Aski Nation, northern Public Health Units and Ornge.
The final community clinic took place February 21.
Since November 2021, roughly 9,700 doses were administered.
The Canadian Armed Forces provided support with some 270 Canadian Rangers engaged in a wide range of logistics, coordination and administrative support roles.
Teams will now focus on providing assistance for community-led immunization clinics, testing and case and contact management.
Grand Chief Derek Fox says he was encouraged by the number of NAN members, especially young citizens, who protected others by protecting themselves.
Dr. Lloyd Douglas is a Public Health Physician with the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and says our region, historically, has low vaccine coverage rates and he was pleased to see the significant uptake of the COVID vaccines in area communities.
Douglas adds, “This demonstrates what can happen when partners and communities come together to provide effective health communication and reduce barriers to vaccine access. ORI demonstrated that dedicated resources and staffing at the community level to support clinic coordination and health promotion was essential for its success and must be continued to prevent the spread of other infectious diseases in the region.”
He notes, “We need to continue working together in a good was as the pandemic is not over. We need a similar approach for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals less than five years of age.”
