Windsor-Essex vaccination efforts shift to ‘catch-up’ immunization of students

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With the Windsor-Essex region’s COVID-19 vaccination rate having reached a relative standstill, the health unit is shifting the priorities of its mass vaccination efforts.

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Starting March 8, the locations that were previously dedicated to administering COVID-19 vaccine will offer immunization clinics for students who haven’t started or haven’t completed their vaccinations for Hepatitis B, HPV, and meningococcal disease.

Such immunizations are normally accomplished through school-based programs. But COVID-19 measures over the past two years have disrupted the coverage — meaning that significant community “catch up” is necessary.

“One of the unrecognized consequences of the pandemic has been that young people have fallen behind on their vaccination schedule,” said Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai during a briefing on Thursday.

“Many of the vaccines that we give in adolescence benefit into adulthood.”

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The “catch-up” clinics are meant for students in Grades 7 to 12. Appointments can be made by calling 519-258-2146 ext. 4500 or by booking online at wechu.org/getimmunized.

If a parent or guardian isn’t sure if their child is up to date on immunizations, contact the health unit at [email protected] or 519-258-2146 ext. 1222.

It should be noted that the Immunization of School Pupils Act makes the meningococcal vaccine mandatory for anyone enrolled in a school in Ontario. The Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines are not required by legislation, but are strongly recommended.

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COVID-19 vaccine will still be administered at the Devonshire Mall site (3100 Howard Ave.) and the health unit’s Leamington office (33 Princess St. in Leamington).

However, COVID-19 vaccination will be offered at the sites on a walk-in basis only. The health unit’s COVID-19 booking assistance phone line is no longer in service, and the COVID-19 vaccine appointment options on WeVax.ca are being removed this weekend.

The Devonshire Mall site’s new hours of operation are Tuesday 11:30 am to 6 pm, Wednesday to Saturday 9 am to 3:30 pm

The health unit’s Leamington office operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 3:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 11 am to 5:30 pm

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Meanwhile, the health unit continues to track COVID-19 numbers in the region.

On Friday, the Windsor-Essex COVID-19 death count increased by one. The health unit described the recently deceased patient as a man in his 70s who lived in the community.

To date, 580 people in Windsor-Essex have died due to COVID-19.

As of Friday, the health unit counted 275 active “high risk” cases in the region, with 42 of those cases in area hospitals. Six COVID-19 patients were under intensive care, at the time of reporting.

The health unit was also monitoring 18 outbreak situations—eight of them in long-term care facilities or retirement homes, and two of them in hospital units.

The region’s COVID-19 vaccination rate stands at 82.8 per cent of all residents ages 5 and older having received at least two doses, and 53.6 per cent of residents ages 18 and older having received a third dose/booster shot.

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