York Region now vaccinating homebound, with rollout to age 70+ possible within 10 days

Newmarkettoday.ca
March 24, 2021

'We are hoping to complete the 75+ age group in about seven to 10 days, meaning that we could potentially open up appointments to the next age groups soon, continuing to move down the age groups in five-year blocks," says associate medical officer of health
about 17 hours ago By: Alan S. Hale

York Region Public Health said it has distributed 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, immunized 80 per cent of seniors over the age of 80, and is about to begin vaccinations for homebound individuals this week.

"Hitting these milestones is encouraging, and the light at the end of the tunnel gets just a little bit brighter every day," Dr. Fareen Karachiwalla, associate medical officer of health, said in a video update on the vaccine rollout Monday.

"There are more than 3,000 homebound residents in York Region, so it may take time to reach all of them. We ask for your patience as we work to get vaccines to those who can't as easily come to a clinic."

Anyone who is receiving home care or is otherwise homebound but does have the ability to go to a drive-thru clinic is encouraged to do so, said Karachiwalla.

A test run of the drive-thru clinic at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan has been completed, and the lessons learned will be applied when that clinic officially opens next Monday, March 29.

On Monday, York Region began vaccinating seniors aged 75 and older before the provincial start time for that age group and, if all keeps going as planned, vaccine appointments for seniors 70 and older could be available soon as well.

"We are hoping to complete the 75+ age group in about seven to 10 days, meaning that we could potentially open up appointments to the next age groups soon, continuing to move down the age groups in five-year blocks," said Karachiwalla.

Karachiwalla also addressed the continued apprehension among some residents about the provincial decision to delay second doses for four months. The associate medical officer of health noted that the move was recommended by vaccine experts and should not have an impact on the effectiveness of the first dose.

"We know from the data and years of experience in how vaccines work, that stretching out the interval of a second dose is unlikely to interfere with protection. In fact, it is the opposite. Getting a vaccine too early is where problems with protection come into play," she said.

"With some of the vaccines, such as AstraZeneca, for example, stretching out the interval a bit longer actually helps with effectiveness in some cases."

Lastly, Karachiwalla is asking York Region residents to be more polite to health unit workers, noting there have been increasing incidents.

"It has been really upsetting to see a rise in disrespectful and inappropriate behaviour toward our staff who are working day and night literally to do everything they can to support people on the phones, in clinics or on the streets," she said.

"Please remain respectful and constructive."