The Renfrew County and District Health Unit says residents over 75 years of age can book a COVID-19 vaccine starting early next week.
The health unit says there has been tremendous interest and uptake in COVID-19 vaccination so far in Renfrew County and District (RCD).
The RCDHU says about three quarters of residents 80 years of age and over have been vaccinated with first doses.
In the first three days of opening registration to the 75 to 79 years of age group, RCDHU received over 2000 calls and 2,400 people have been registered either online or by telephone.
“We are very pleased to see the high uptake, which will ultimately lead to a healthier community. However, this has put a high demand on our call centre. As a result, we are asking residents to please register online when possible. Help us, help you,” states Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU.
In the meantime, RCDHU is asking residents in the 75 to 79 years of age group to temporarily stop calling our registration/booking number until further notice next week.
This will allow RCDHU staff and partners to work through the current call list in a timely manner and will reduce the number of duplicate calls the health unit is receiving.
Do not worry, your age group will have ample time to be vaccinated. Booking online is the fastest way. Individuals are encouraged to ask a family member or friend to assist if they are unable to book online
themselves.
The health unit is also asking that residents only call the COVID-19 Booking/Registration number for booking/registering appointments.
Do not call the booking/registration line for questions about eligibility, what you should bring for an appointment, etc. For all other inquiries regarding COVID-19 and vaccine rollout, residents should visit RCDHU’s website.
For details specific to vaccination registration and appointments (i.e., what you need to bring), visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment Checklist. Please note that all vaccinations currently taking place are for those receiving their first dose only.
All second doses, except for a minority of classifications will be administered 16 weeks after the first.
Information about the notification and booking process for second doses is still being developed but will be rolled out as soon as a process is in place.
Dr. Cushman. says availability of vaccination appointments will be based on the number of vaccine doses that RCD receives each week, which varies by each public health region based on the provincial government’s perceived level of risk in those areas.
