Health Unit Announces Walk-In Shots for a Special Demographic

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit has announced walk-in times at its COVID-19 mass-immunization clinics for those aged 50-plus, as well as for individuals who are immunocompromised and eligible for a fourth dose (which means it has been at least 84 days since the most recent shot).

The announcement from the health unit said that people in these groups can walk in for a shot between 1 and 4:30 p.m. On the days the health unit is running these clinics – in Northumberland County, that would be in Cobourg, Colborne, Brighton and Campbellford.

Those under the age of 50 are asked to continue using the provincial booking system for their vaccine appointments.

“We have extra space at our COVID-19 vaccine clinics, so are pleased to begin offering walk-in times in the afternoons for immunocompromised individuals needing a fourth vaccine dose and people 50 years and older who still need a first, second of third dose of vaccine,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking said in the announcement.

“COVID-19 vaccine boosters are especially important, because they offer more protection than two doses and reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization from the highly infectious Omicron variant.”

Dr. Bocking expressed her hope that the availability of walk-in service will encourage more people aged 70 and older to get a booster dose. She issued what she termed a “call to arms” for this age group to get the boosters after noticing that booster-dose uptake among this age group has plateaued in the past week.

“Older adults have a greater risk of getting sick from COVID-19, and that’s why we encourage anyone aged 70 and older who still needs a booster to get one,” she urged.

“Book an appointment or walk into any of our clinics in the afternoon, and we will be happy to provide you one.”

Dr. Bocking appeals to anyone who knows of an older parent, grandparent, family member of loved one who has not yet received that booster to assit them to get one.

As of Monday, 50.5% of eligible residents aged 18 and older in the health unit region have received a booster dose.