KFL&A reaches 90% COVID-19 vaccination rate milestone

Today marks a significant milestone in the vaccine rollout in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) region. KFL&A Public Health said they are “pleased and grateful” to share that 90 per cent of the eligible KFL&A population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 86.6 per cent has had two doses.

According to a release from Public Health, the total number of vaccines administered has surpassed 338,000 doses in the KFL&A region.

“I am so proud of our community and the people living in Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington for achieving this goal,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “The partnerships and commitment from staff and volunteers, health care agencies, primary care providers, pharmacies, schools, and municipalities are remarkable and reflect the strength of our community. This high level of vaccination will reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our community and prevent hospitalizations and death.”

KFL&A Public Health said they are tremendously thankful to community partners who opened their doors to host vaccine clinics and offered their facilities, ice pads, community centres, and schools, and even arranged for their staff and volunteers to help at these clinics. Health care partners worked tirelessly to support the vaccine clinics and to provide vaccinations in their own settings, according to the release. Many pharmacies across the region made the vaccine accessible to more people in their neighbourhoods, and Paramedics reached those at home who had serious health conditions and could not get to a vaccination site, Public Health said. These collective efforts have helped to bring vaccines close to where people live.

According to the release, it is going to take a few more months to vaccinate all remaining eligible residents, but plans are well underway to organize these vaccine clinics, specifically for those five to 11 years of age.

“Please continue to encourage and support your neighbours, family, and friends to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to make sure everyone is protected,” Public Health said.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccine clinics and COVID-19, visit Kflaph.ca/Vaccine or Ontario.ca/coronavirus.