SWPH Offers Multiple Options for Residents 80+ to Re-Book Second Doses
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 member to reschedule their appointment. The Response Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
These new services complement the existing COVID-19 vaccine booking line staffed by London Health Sciences Centre, which was previously the only option to re-schedule earlier appointments across both health unit regions.
“With our community members ages 80 and older now eligible to book sooner, it was important that we removed barriers to re-scheduling second dose appointments,” says Jaime Fletcher, Program Manager of the Southwestern Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force. “Many seniors may choose to keep their existing appointments – but those who wish to see if appointments are available sooner can now check online or call in to speak with someone about it. Our goal is to do our best to respond and support our citizens in an even more robust way.”
To reschedule online, individuals must have a mobile phone that accepts SMS text messages, or an email address that was not used to book any other vaccine appointments – such as for other family members. Anyone who does not have access to either of these, is encouraged to call the Southwestern Public Health Response Centre or the LHSC booking line for support.
“Together, with our LHSC partners, we will work hard to reschedule these appointments in the quickest way – but we do appreciate your patience as we work through the large volume of people who may be trying to do the very same thing,” says Fletcher.
The new rebooking services are exclusively intended for those aged 80 and older at this time. All other groups eligible for an earlier second dose appointment must call the LHSC booking line to reschedule at 226-289-3560 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily.
Anyone with a second dose booked in early to mid-June is advised keep their existing appointment, as there may be no earlier appointments available due to high vaccine demand.
Southwestern Public Health will focus on rescheduling second doses for 80+ year old residents before opening local eligibility to ages 70 and older. It is expected local eligibility will expand to 70+ by June 14 or earlier.
Media Contact:
Megan Cornwell
Communications | Southwestern Public Health