Peterborough Public Health Offers Drop-in Vaccination Clinic for Vulnerable Residents
Written by Comms Team, July 9, 2021
With the Delta Variant Circulating, Achieving High Vaccine Coverage is Key to Preventing Fourth Wave
Together with several community partners, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) held a three-day outdoor drop-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic from Tuesday, July 6 to Thursday, July 8 at City Hall for people who use the services of emergency shelters, and other support agencies.
To reduce barriers and increase access to the vaccine, the clinic did not require advanced registration or booking. Community members were offered first doses, and in some cases second doses, of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those without a health card were also able to receive a vaccine dose.
“We are happy to report that 96 people attended these clinics despite the challenges of heat, humidity and rain,” said Hallie Atter, Manager Family and Community Health. “And none of this would have been possible without the help of our community partners in organizing, promoting and staffing this multi-day clinic.”
PPH would like to thank the following organizations for their support: The Brock Mission, Canadian Mental Health Association, City of Peterborough, Fourcast, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, One City Peterborough, One Roof Community Centre, PARN, Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Salvation Army, YES Shelter for Youth and families, and YWCA Crossroads Shelter.
Ms. Atter noted that clients of these community agencies can find it harder to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19 and can be at greater risk for severe illness. For instance, a recent Ontario study found that people experiencing homelessness were over 20 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and over 10 times more likely to be admitted into intensive care with COVID-19. They may also find it challenging to implement public health measures and to register and attend mass vaccination clinics. PPH will continue to implement various strategies, like pop-up clinics, to support Peterborough’s diverse population, and to increase local vaccination coverage.
As Peterborough’s vaccine rollout continues to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and save lives, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health, urged all residents to follow public health measures regardless of vaccine status. “It takes time to build immunity, even with the vaccine,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “Vaccinated or not, the safest option is to always follow public health measures that we know work. Keep 2-metres of distance from anyone outside of your household, wear a mask indoors and when distancing is not possible outdoors, continue to practice good hand hygiene, and disinfect high touch surfaces. If you are meeting people, choose to meet them outside, where the risk of spreading COVID-19 is lower.”
Please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca for more information on the recommended and mandatory public health measures applicable in Peterborough.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391