Back to SearchNIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON - The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit) continues to advocate with the province for greater access to COVID-19 vaccines. In spite of the provincial announcement to start to book individuals 75 to 79 years of age, the Health Unit does not have adequate vaccine to open up vaccinations beyond the phase 1 priorities. Booking of phase 2 priority vaccinations, which includes seniors aged 60-79 years of age, will begin when the majority of phase 1 vaccinations are near completion.
“We want to stay in line with the rest of the province,” stated Andrea McLellan, Director of COVID-19 Immunization. “Without an increase in our Health Unit’s allotted COVID-19 vaccine supply, we aren’t able to do this. Though we understand that vaccine allocation was targeted at hot spots earlier this year, we are hopeful the provincial government will increase supply to our region in order to make up for the earlier disparity.”
Individuals who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are reminded that they must still follow public health measures including:
- Staying home as much as possible;
- Practicing physical distancing – staying two (2) metres from others who do not reside in your home or where you are living, and if you live alone physically distancing from anyone outside your unique close contact home;
- Wearing a face covering indoors and whenever physical distancing is difficult;
- Washing or sanitizing your hands often;
- Coughing and sneezing into your sleeve;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth;
- Cleaning high touch objects and surfaces often.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek testing or further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms if you are able.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
For more information, please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.
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Media Inquiries:
Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca
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