News

Southwestern Public Health is modifying how its COVID-19 vaccine clinics operate to make first and second doses more accessible to those living in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.

Beginning Thursday, June 10, earlier second dose eligibility will expand in the region to include people born in 1951 or earlier. Additionally, anyone who had a first dose on or before April 18^th – which includes healthcare workers and people with specific high-risk health conditions – are also...

Recently the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) made recommendations on the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines for second doses following studies from Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Ontarians who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a pharmacy may be offered a second dose of the same vaccine, or a dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) as their second dose. These second dose options will be provided only after the recommended 12-week interval.

“If...

Effective June 9, 2021, Southwestern Public Health’s three main COVID-19 immunization clinics will exclusively offer the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine for first and second doses. Moderna will no longer be on offer due to supply issues.

All individuals who received a first dose of Moderna will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for their second dose a minimum of 28 days after their first dose. Both vaccines are mRNA-based and offer interchangeable and compatible protection according to Health...

Southwestern Public Health, in partnership with Middlesex-London Health Unit, has updated its booking system to better accommodate second dose rescheduling for residents aged 80 or older.

Beginning June 7 at 8 a.m., individuals born in 1941 or earlier can reschedule their appointment online at www.covidvaccineLM.ca. Seniors aged 80 or older living in Oxford County, Elgin County or the City of St. Thomas can also call Southwestern Public Health’s Response Centre at 1-800-922-0096 ext. 9 for a staff...

Media Release

May 31, 2021

Southwestern Public Health Finalizing Processes to Re-Book Eligible Second Dose Appointments

On May 28, the Ontario government announced those aged 80 and older would become eligible to re-book an earlier second dose appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine through the provincial booking system.

However, because Southwestern Public Health uses a custom booking system, a new process is required to help those eligible to re-book their existing appointment as efficiently as possible.

This...

Media Release

May 31, 2021

Southwestern Public Health Region Celebrates 100,000 Residents Vaccinated with at Least One Dose

On Friday May 28, the health unit serving Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas met a significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19.

Each day, through a combination of pop-up clinics, family physician and pharmacy vaccinators, and mass immunization clinics, thousands of Oxford County, Elgin County and City of St. Thomas residents are vaccinated against...