More COVID-19 vaccine clinics coming

With lab confirmation of the first cases of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant in the region, a collaborative effort between Quinte Health Care (QHC), Loyalist College and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), is bringing more COVID-19 vaccine clinics to the community – aiming for 13,000 shots in arms.

All Ontarians 18+ are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot three months after their second dose.

Additional mass vaccination clinics will be running at Loyalist College, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., on the following dates:
• Dec. 22, 23, 24
• Dec. 27 – 31
• Jan. 3 – 7

Book an appointment through the provincial booking site, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

“It will take a community-wide effort to boost our collective defense against the highly transmissible Omicron variant, and it is Quinte Health Care’s goal to help get as many shots in arms as quickly as possible,” said Jeff Hohenkerk, vice-president, Quinte Health Care. “By combining resources with Loyalist College and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health to get these additional clinics in place, it could mean up to 13,000 additional vaccines in arms, which will help immensely in protecting the people of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, as well as preserving our already-strained health care resources, by preventing more transmission and severe illness.”

The vaccination clinics will be hosted at Loyalist College with staffing provided by QHC, Loyalist College nursing students, and many nurses, doctors, paramedics, clerks and attendants from within the Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team, making these clinics a truly collaborative effort.

“The Omicron variant is highly transmissible and early evidence suggests it can produce severe disease, with the greatest risk to those who are unvaccinated,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Acting Medical Officer at HPEPH. “I strongly urge everyone to get fully vaccinated, and get a booster dose as soon as possible.”