Anyone five years old and up can get a vaccine between 1-4:30 p.m. at the Minden arena without a prior appointment.
Clinics are scheduled Feb. 3, 4, 10 and 17. Walk-in appointments on Feb. 10 and 17 are open until 4 p.m.
“This is a natural progression to make COVID-19 vaccines more available and accessible,” said HKPR District Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking. “We know vaccines, especially booster doses, provide excellent protection against COVID-19 and reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization. That is why we encourage anyone still waiting for a dose to walk in, or make an appointment, to get their shot.”
As of Jan. 26, the health unit reports 53 per cent of the region’s adult population is triple-vaccinated.
At a media information session Jan. 26, Dr. Bocking said the increase in vaccine clinic availability is due to increased space at the clinics. That’s a contrast to early December when some Haliburton residents reported difficulty finding a booster shot appointment date before February.
Forty-nine per cent of HKPR residents admitted to hospital since Jan. 1 have not received any vaccinations. However, since only 10-15 per cent of the population has not received at least one shot, the statistic shows a drastically higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 for those unvaccinated.
“To be fully protected right now we need individuals to receive their booster dose when available,” said Dr. Bocking.
You can also book an appointment through the provincial booking site at covid-19. ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
There is also a mobile Go-Vaxx visiting the County Feb. 12 at the A.J. LaRue arena in Haliburton and Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Lloyd Watson Community Centre in Wilberforce.
