A pop-up, walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic will open at CF Masonville Place in London, Ontario. this week in a bid to get Londoners out to do their Christmas shopping, officials from the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) said on Tuesday.
The clinic, which will open at noon Wednesday near the mall’s lower-level entrance 6 doors and will run through New Years Eve, will provide the first doses of the vaccine to anyone five years and older, as well as a second and third doses to those eligible. the health unit said in a statement.
“The clinic is expected to reach those who have not yet been vaccinated due to barriers such as convenience and limited transportation options.”
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The clinic will work from Wednesday to Friday from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., says the health unit.
“We hope that with easier access to the vaccine, we will get even better coverage and acceptance, especially now that children ages five to 11 are eligible,” said Maureen MacCormick, director of healthy living and chief operating officer of the MLHU COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics, in a statement.
About 90% of people over the age of 12 in London-Middlesex have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 87.5% have received two. Adjusted to include those between the ages of 5 and 11, the percentages are 83.3 and 80.8, respectively.
It is the second time that MLHU and CF Masonville Place have partnered to open a walk-in vaccination clinic in the mall. One operated last summer from August 30 to September 5, and saw more than 2,500 doses administered, 52 percent of which were first doses, the health unit said at the time. A separate temporary clinic was later opened in White Oaks Mall.
“We hope that with the larger space and longer hours, parents will find it accessible and children and guests of all ages will feel welcome,” said Sandra Lorentiu, CF Masonville Place general manager, in a statement.
The opening of the winter clinic comes as the calendar changes to December and the health unit urges local residents once again to celebrate the Christmas season safely approaching amid the pandemic and concerns about the new variant of Omicron.
In a notice issued last week, the health unit said that while the indoor gathering limit in Ontario was 25, residents were asked to consider keeping meetings as small as possible and making sure everyone involved is vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The fewer people that gather, the lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” the notice said.
“If you plan to host or attend Christmas gatherings, consider keeping your gatherings as small as possible and make sure everyone is vaccinated. If you don’t feel well, stay home. “
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Health officials note that outdoor gatherings or events are still safer than indoors, and that virtual meetings, while not the same as in-person meetings, are still a safe way to celebrate if people aren’t there. vaccinated or have unknown vaccine status.
You can get more guidance and tips related to Christmas celebrations. found on the MLHU website.
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