Region lags behind in vaccination rates

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is working toward reaching the provincial goals for vaccination, having the third lowest second vaccine coverage of all health units.
The target for Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen is for 80 per cent of the eligible population (12 and older) to have received a first dose and 75 per cent to have received a second dose. In Simcoe Muskoka, 77 per cent have received a first dose and 56 per cent have received a second.
“Throughout the course of the pandemic we have received, on average, less vaccine than other health units on a per capita basis because of the low infection rates,” said medical officer of health Dr. Charles Gardner.
Bradford West Gwillimbury has been the only hotspot declared in the district, thereby receiving extra vaccine.
“We have certainly administered all the vaccine we have received expeditiously.
He said he supports the strategy of directing more vaccine where transmission is highest,” said Gardner.
He said they have found an imbalance has emerged in that more individuals from out of the district have received immunization locally compared with local citizens who have travelled outside of the district to receive their immunization.
“The net effect is that we have provided 11,500 doses to non residents than we have received for our residents out of district,” said Gardner.
“This is a destination of choice for people for holidays, for secondary residences and I think that may be very well a part of what we are seeing with that and we are also in proximity to the Greater Toronto Area, allowing for that to occur.”
To overcome that, the health unit has targeted appointment bookings to residents, and has begun offering pop-up and walk-in clinics.
In the past there was more parity between out of district vaccines and Gardner had encouraged people to take the first vaccine offered to them, regardless of where.
“It’s important to note that almost a quarter of our population has yet to receive their first dose and with the Delta variant it’s really important that people come forward,” said Gardner.
A new campaign is launching next week to address some of the vaccine hesitancy that exists in the community that have been informed in part by youth focus groups.
“It’s really important that we bolster vaccination among young adults, youth, and young men in particular up to 39 years of age as our data shows that they are lagging behind in coverage. We really need them to be covered for their own protection and for the creation of safe school environments and secondary education environments and work environments going into the fall,” said Gardner.
Walk-in clinics at all mass immunization clinics for first doses and specific clinics for second doses are posted on the health unit’s website and social media accounts.  
Walk-in vaccinations are available to Simcoe Muskoka residents age 12 years and up and needing their first or second dose. Second doses must be 28 days after a first dose mRNA vaccine or eight weeks after a first dose of AstraZeneca with informed consent. No appointment is necessary, while supplies last.
Individuals are encouraged to dress for the weather as they may be required to wait outdoors before entering the clinic. They are also reminded to bring a health card, a list of any medications they are taking, wear a loose-fitting shirt that allows easy access to the upper arm and bring any assistive devices as needed (e.g., scooter, wheelchair, cane).  
For more information about how to prepare for an appointment and what to expect upon arrival at the clinic, please visit our COVID-19 pages at www.smdhu.org/COVID19.