KFL&A Public Health: 25 percent of adult population vaccinated
The following is a message to Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) residents from KFL&A Public Health regarding the local rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine:
Today, marks a significant stage in our local vaccine roll out. With the tremendous support of multiple stakeholders and partners working together to administer vaccines, KFL&A Public Health is pleased and grateful to share that approximately 25 per cent of adults in the KFL&A population have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. In total, the number of vaccines administered has surpassed 59,000 doses and 80 per cent of adults in the 80 years of age group have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
It is going to take some time to vaccinate all residents, so everyone, even those who have received their first dose of vaccine, are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to public health practices—wear a face covering or mask, stay 2 metres away from those outside of your household, screen for symptoms before your leave your home, and if you have symptoms to get tested early.
“We are especially pleased to report that a large percentage of our older adult population are getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “In addition, the pharmacy initiative has vaccinated approximately 70 per cent of adults aged 60 to 64 years. Our vaccination strategy is proceeding very well in our area and we are on target to get vaccine into arms of everyone who wants it by the end of the summer.”
We understand that residents of KFL&A are ready and eager to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Our phone lines at KFL&A Public Health are experiencing extremely high volumes of calls. Please do not call KFL&A Public Health’s main line for COVID-19 vaccine clinic appointments. We are asking everyone to remain patient and regularly check the provincial online booking system by visiting www.Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call the provincial customer service desk at 1-888-999-6488 for clinic appointments.
In the following weeks, the options for clinics will continue to increase as the province expands the pharmacy initiative and rolls out vaccine supply to primary care providers in the region too. Plans are underway to ensure the most efficient administration of this vaccine across KFL&A.
For the most up to date information on COVID-19, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
Very positive news about 25% of adult population having been vaccinated in Kingston. I do have a question though that Kingstonist may wish to follow up on. I have checked the online booking system countless times this week, and there have been absolutely no appointments available at the mass vaccination centre in Kingston, or at the other centres in our region. It takes about 10-15 minutes to fill out the boxes on line to check on availability, which suggests that there are a large number of people spinning their wheels checking, when it appears that there are no appointments available. I also phoned the ontario service desk to book an appointment, but had to listen to a message telling me how important my call is… countless times before finally giving up and hanging up. I am eligible, but wonder if the KFL&A could be more forthcoming in terms of reason for lack of appointment times – have they been out of vaccines in the region this week? Will appointments be available next week? Thank you.