Public Health recognizes community partners as COVID-19 clinics wind down

Representatives from the Prince Edward Family Health Team, the County of Prince Edward, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, QHC, and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation gather after certificates of recognition were presented by Dr. Ethan Toumishey, MOH and CEO HPEPH.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) presented certificates of appreciation to local COVID-19 mass immunization sites that have been operating since March 2021.

Staff representing immunization clinics operating in North Hastings (Bancroft Family Health Team and Quinte Health Care North Hastings Hospital), Picton (Prince Edward Family Health Team and the municipality) and the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre (and City of Belleville), were recognized for their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, as HPEPH transitions to a longer-term vaccination strategy.

“The support and dedication of our community partners made it possible to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines have been available throughout our extensive geographic region, as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “Community partners have continuously adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of the vaccination rollout, and have worked tirelessly to help ensure essential protection through vaccination was made available to the community.”

Toumishey noted the efforts resulted in an 88 per cent vaccination rate for adults in HPEC, “and this protection continues to help reduce severe illness related to the virus in our region.”

“These initiatives have demonstrated incredible collaboration between HPEPH, the County of Prince Edward, Prince Edward Family Health Team, and Quinte Health Care as well as wonderful support from local service clubs and community members,” said Dr. Sarah Le Blanc, of the Prince Edward Family Health Team. “It was through this unprecedented teamwork that the COVID-19 Assessment Centres and Vaccine Clinics were possible.”

HPEPH also recognized contributions of others who contributed to the vaccination rollout over the past year, including the City of Quinte West, Township of Madoc, Loyalist College, and other Quinte Health Care sites. HPEPH will be presenting participating partners with a certificate of recognition in the coming weeks.

“The partnership between HPEPH, the Prince Edward Family Health Team and the municipality has been a model of community, collaboration and success,” said Steve Ferguson, Prince Edward County’s mayor. “Working together, the partners helped thousands of residents of the County to access their vaccines close to home through the mass vaccination clinics and pop-ups throughout the County. As we wrap up this phase of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, I want to extend my sincere thanks to these partners, and also to the members of local service clubs, County staff and healthcare workers who volunteered countless hours to help run these community clinics.”

COVID-19 immunization clinics at the Prince Edward Community Centre and the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre will be closing at the end of March 2022. The final clinic at the Prince Edward Community Centre, 375 Main St., Picton is Thursday, March 31 from noon to 6 p.m.

Vaccinations in communities will continue to be delivered through pharmacies and smaller-scale local clinics.

“This strategy will ensure resources are available to support regular public health programs and services, while continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Toumishey.