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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
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