Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Southwestern Public Health Logo

Contact Us
A - Z TopicsNewsroomLocations and HoursContact Us1-800-922-0096
  • Classes, Clinics and Services
    • Dental Clinics
    • Food Handler Certification
    • Immunization Clinics
    • Influenza (Flu) Clinics
    • Needle Exchange Program
    • Pregnancy and Baby Supports
    • Quit Smoking
    • Sexual Health Clinics
    • TB Skin Testing
    • Tick Identification
    • Well Water Testing
  • My Health
    • Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco
    • Animal Bites and Rabies
    • Body Art and Personal Care
    • Child and Family Health
    • Dental Health
    • Immunization and Vaccines
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Nutrition
    • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
    • Mental Health
    • Physical Activity
    • Sexual Health
    • Vector-Borne Diseases
  • Community Health
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Enforcement of Smoke-Free Spaces
    • Environmental Health
    • Food Safety
    • Health Inspect
    • Health Equity and Fairness
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Road Safety
    • Safe Needle Disposal
    • School Health
    • Walking, Biking, Hiking
  • Partners & Professionals
    • Child Care Centres
    • Educators
    • Food Service Operators
    • Health Care Providers
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Congregate Living Settings
    • Recreational Facilities
    • Southwest IPAC Hub
    • Outbreak Activity
  • Reports & Statistics
    • Community Health Status
    • Evaluations and Situational Assessments
    • Evidence Reviews
    • Health Inspect
    • General Reports
    • Position Statements
    • Surveillance Dashboards
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Health
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Culture and Values
    • Events Calendar
    • Health Equity and Fairness
    • Locations and Hours
    • News and Media
    • Performance and Accountability
    Click to view About Us
    About Us

MOH Urges Booster Doses Now

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email
Email icon Back to Search
Red box with the words Important Update written across it.

Media Release

January 19, 2022

Local Medical Officer of Health Urges Residents to Get Boosted, Thousands of Appointments Available

Public Health Ontario has recently released data indicating that unvaccinated adults 60 years of age or older were approximately 19.0 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared to adults 60 years of age and older with a third dose.

Southwestern Public Health is urging the more than 26,000 residents, aged 50+, with two but not three doses, to book their boosters today.

“We are concerned about the misconception that Omicron is just a mild infection. The reason it is mild is because of vaccination,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health. “Your risk of an ICU admission due to COVID-19 is reduced by 90% if you are fully vaccinated. Do not take for granted the role vaccines have in getting us through this wave.”

Last week, the Province urged health units to prioritize school staff and school-aged children to protect the return to in-person learning. Two new clinics were opened in the Elgin-St. Thomas and Oxford region in response, on January 21 at Aylmer’s Ontario Police College, and on January 25 at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. Educators and school support staff as well as students and their families are encouraged to book a vaccination as early as possible. These clinics also welcome workers in childcare and Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes, and adults aged 18 and older who have not yet had a first, second, or booster dose.

The health unit also offers select evening and weekend appointments for families to complete a two-dose series for their school-aged child. Visit swpublichealth.ca/covid19vaccine for clinic hours. Appointments are required at all public health vaccination clinics unless otherwise noted. Visit www.covidvaccineLM.ca or call 1-800-922-0096 ext. 9 to book.

“Please do not underestimate how unpredictable COVID-19 can be. Keeping up your immunity against this virus through vaccination is a key step to staying healthy during this wave,” says Dr. Lock.

Media Contact:
Megan Cornwell
Communications Manager
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca

Subscribe to page updates
Email iconSubscribe

Contact Us

Work with Us

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) values our people! We pride ourselves on our positive and flexible work environment.

Learn More

Southwestern Public Health footer logo

Southwestern Public Health strives to ensure the comfort and safety of staff and visitors by encouraging a scent free environment.

  • Classes, Clinics and Services
  • My Health
  • Community Health
  • Partners & Professionals
  • Reports & Statistics
  • About Us

Links:

  • Privacy and Records Access
  • Accessibility
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer and Terms of Use
  • Location and Hours
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
Scroll to top of page

© 2020 Southwestern Public Health

Designed by eSolutionsGroup
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.