PHOTO OF PAUL FROM BONNECHERE MANOR LONG-TERM CARE HOME IN RENFREW, ONT. WHO VOLUNTEERED TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) has released an extensive COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration plan. Depending on availability, the RCDHU is expecting doses to be available to everyone in our area by August, with a goal to have 75% of the community vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021.
The 13-page document on the health units website highlights the three phases of the vaccine rollout and provides estimates on timelines.
Phase 1: Anticipated to run from January 2021 through March 2021.
Phase 2: Anticipated to run from March 2021 through August 2021.
Phase 3: Anticipated to begin in August 2021.
IMPORTANT: The RCDHU recognizes that each phase of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is dependent on availability and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, and therefore is subject to change.
The RCDHU says Phase 1, which is currently underway, is expected to run until March of 2021. Long-term care and retirement homes, congregate settings for seniors, health care workers, adults in First Nation communities and chronic home care recipients will be among the first to get vaccinated.
Phase 2 of the vaccine roll-out includes mass deliveries of vaccines and is anticipated to run from March to August of 2021. Specific populations identified for Phase 2 include older adults (starting with those over 80 and decreasing in 5-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout), individuals living or working in high risk congregate settings, front-line essential workers, people with high risk chronic conditions and their caretakers.
Phase 3 is expected to start in August of 2021 and will see Renfrew County and District complete the mass vaccination and enter a steady state. All remaining residents will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Mobile clinics will include a team of healthcare providers who go into a facility or organization to make the COVID-19 vaccine available on site. Fixed site clinics will be set up in various locations throughout Renfrew County and District that will be in place for weeks to months.
Fixed site clinics will be hosted in the following five regions of RCD:
- Arnprior and area
- Renfrew and area
- Barry’s Bay and area
- Pembroke and area
- Deep River and area
The fixed site clinics will be spread out while additional mobile vaccination clinics and/or temporary sites may be explored to ensure maximum uptake of vaccine.
RCDHU is partnering with local hospitals, primary care providers, County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, other healthcare and community partners, including municipalities to achieve for the vaccine rollout.
