News

Vaccine Eligibility Update for SWPH Region

Starting June 28 at 8 a.m., all Ontarians aged 18 and older who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine will be eligible to receive their second dose a minimum of 28 days between doses.

Those who wish to re-book are asked to remain patient as earlier appointments are limited. Individuals who have a first dose appointment on or after June 28 will also be scheduled for a second dose appointment at a minimum 28-day interval, pending appointment availability.

To book an appointment: www.covidvaccinelm.ca...

Southwestern Public Health Accelerating Second Doses for Additional Groups

Starting today, Southwestern Public Health and Middlesex-London Health Unit invite adults aged 18 and older to rebook an earlier second dose if they had their first mRNA dose on or before May 30.

“As of a reflection of regional vaccine supply and our desire to get people vaccinated quickly, we’re opening eligibility for earlier second doses to more people in tandem with our partners at Middlesex-London,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. “This also allows...

Vaccination Clinics Switching to Moderna Following News of Delayed Pfizer Shipments Week of June 20

Media Release

June 20, 2021

Following confirmation from the Ontario government that the region’s next shipment of Pfizer will be delayed for two or three days, Southwestern Public Health has announced several changes associated with it’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Tillsonburg, Woodstock and St. Thomas for the week of June 20.

• June 21clinics will offer Pfizer to all youth 12 – 17 and adults seeking second doses of Pfizer. All first doses to adults will be Moderna.

• June 22 - 25clinics will be...

Sam's Story

“My family got COVID-19” Breaking the stigma associated with the Coronavirus  

Samantha Fox is not ashamed to say she had COVID-19.

“I am comfortable saying we did have COVID-19, and we did everything right, and it still happened.”

But the Southwestern Public Health manager didn’t always feel that way. Fox admits that when she, her husband and toddler all tested positive for the virus early in the pandemic, she hid it from her coworkers.

“I didn’t tell anyone at work for a while because it felt like...

A Message from our Medical Officer of Health

mRNA Vaccines: effective, safe and interchangeable
A Message from Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health

The National Advisory on Immunization (NACI), the organization that advises the Public Health Agency of Canada, has endorsed the interchangeability of the mRNA vaccines based on current scientific evidence and their expert opinion.

The interchangeability of Pfizer and Moderna means that you can receive one vaccine product for your first dose and a different vaccine product for your second dose....

Eligibility expands for second doses

Southwestern Public Health Expands Second Dose Eligibility Due to Large Moderna Shipment

June 15, 2021

The Ministry of Health has informed Southwestern Public Health to expect upwards of 14,000 doses of the mRNA Moderna vaccine next week. As a result, the health unit is expanding its local eligibility to offer earlier second doses to more people.

Beginning June 16th at 8 a.m., individuals who had a first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 9th can book an earlier second dose, in addition to...