Journal Staff
Sarnia-Lambton has 1,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine on hand will get another 5,400 shots within two weeks, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says.
The premier shared those numbers in a telephone call Wednesday with Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, after the mayor appealed for additional vaccine to deal with a surging caseload.
The coming shipment includes 4,600 Pfizer shots and 800 Moderna shots, Ford said.
During the call, Bradley said he stressed the urgency of getting more vaccine to Sarnia-Lambton. It is the only area of Southwestern Ontario in grey-lockdown and continues to have one of the highest infection rates in the province.
Forty-one new cases of COVID-19 were reported today, increasing the caseload to 222 active cases with 15 outbreaks, Lambton Public Health said.
Eight people are in hospital, up from three patients in hospital two days earlier.
And one more person has died, bringing the death toll to 48.
Meanwhile, about 14% of the eligible population of Sarnia-Lambton (14,910 people) has now received a first dose of vaccine, and 1,544 have had two doses.
One week ago about 10% of the population had been vaccinated.
Residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes have been immunized, and the process of giving first shots to home staff, essential caregivers, medical first responder, and residents aged 90 and older is almost complete, the health unit said.
Clinics are underway for Indigenous adults at all three First Nations, and other Sarnia-Lambton residents 75 years of age or older.
Lambton Public Health has also announced a new pilot project with four primary practice groups. Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner Clinic, Rapids Family Health Team, Central Lambton Family Health Team, and North Lambton Community Health Centre will be getting doses of the Moderna vaccine.
“As vaccine supply becomes more readily available, and with the expected increase in availability of AstraZeneca, more local primary care providers will be able to participate,” the health unit said.
Meanwhile, Ontario has extended the interval time between the first and second doses to 16 weeks, based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. The extension applies to the Moderna, Pfizer & AstraZeneca vaccines.
Those who have received a first dose through Lambton Public Health, Bluewater Health or a workplace will have their second dose appointment adjusted to the new 16-week interval.
Lambton Public Health said it would be contacting those affected soon.
The move was made because of limited vaccine supply, with an emphasis on getting first doses to as many people as soon as possible.
Anyone with questions about who can register at this time can visit GetTheVaccine.ca/register
The call centre phone lines are busy and residents are asked to be patient, Lambton Public Health said.