York Region opening 3 new mass vaccination clinics as omicron variant spreads

Newmarkettoday.ca
December 17, 2021

York Region is increasing its vaccination capacity with three new mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics as eligibility for booster doses expands.

Medical officer of health Dr. Barry Pakes told regional council today that two new centres are imminent, with a third in the works. This comes as the province announced eligibility for third booster doses would expand from 50 and older to 18 and older starting Dec. 20.

Pakes said the supply of vaccines is stable, but addressing back-end clerical struggles such as finding space to meet demand has been more challenging.

“We are facing a difficult outlook, a difficult challenge in that there are many individuals who are eligible, many more than we can accommodate in a short time span,” Pakes said. “We are relying on all our partners in primary care, pharmacies, hospitals.”

Residents have reported difficulties booking booster appointments amidst high demand as it opened up to residents 50 and older Dec. 13. The province is expanding eligibility in the wake of rising cases of the omicron variant, also implementing free rapid testing and promising an expanded vaccine rollout.

Pakes said booster dose eligibility is effectively expanding from about 250,000 York Region residents to almost 700,000. Still, York Region has been able to vaccinate 33.6 per cent of children aged five to 11 as of Dec. 14. It also had its highest single-day vaccination total since July, with 8,025 total doses administered Dec. 14.

“Our resources are stretched but we make every effort we can,” Pakes said.

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said local staff have worked with public health to find clinic locations and will do whatever is necessary.

But he expressed concern about younger residents getting vaccinations while some vulnerable seniors are still waiting. He requested clinics specifically for older citizens.

“It would trouble me to think that we’re vaccinating a 20-year old," he said, “but there are 100 people who are 75 waiting to January."

Pakes responded that the York online booking system allows them to allot vaccinations for specific age bands, and they can consider that.

He also said holiday gatherings need to be reduced. Current provincial restrictions allow for 25 people for most indoor social gatherings or events, but Pakes said he and many in public health believe the maximum should be 10.

"I would encourage all York Region residents to think about gatherings over the holidays," he said. "At any venues, it is certainly important to move down to much smaller numbers."

Pakes said though the omicron variant may be milder than previous ones, its much higher transmission rate still makes it a threat to overwhelm hospitals and ICUs.

“We are all tired, a flurry of emotions including fear, anxiety, denial, and certainly fatigue and frustration,” he said. “But we are very confident we are moving quickly to prevent the worst of what omicron might be.”

Chair and CEO Wayne Emmerson said the province will need to ensure the vaccines keep coming.

He added it is also critical that all municipalities contribute to the effort.

“We can’t do this alone. York Region needs all nine municipalities pulling together,” he said.