Public Health offers walk-in vaccinations in an effort to boost slowing 1st dose numbers

Jeff Green | Jul 09, 2021

The rate of first doses being administered in the Kingston, Frontenac Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) has decreased steadily in recent weeks at the same times as the rollout of second doses has picked up steam, and Public Health is now responding.

The second dose rate is now approaching or at 50%. Two and a half weeks ago, on June 23, it was only 22%.

The first dose rate is now 78%. On June 23, it was 75%

As of today, (July 9) walk in service is available all day for anyone over 18 who has yet to receive a first dose of vaccine at the mass clinics in Kingston (Invista Centre) and Napanee (Strathcona Centre). Between 3:30pm and 4:30pm  each day, walk-in service is available for second doses.

“There may be a variety of reasons for the slowdown in demand. Some may object to the vaccine, there may be some complacency it might be a lack of convenience. We are hoping that by offering walk-ins, and eliminating the need to pre-register, a portion of those people who have not received a first dose will come out to get one.,” said Dr. Hugh Guan, interim Medical Officer of Health for the region.

The cohort with the lowest rate of first dose vaccination are those who are aged 25-35, with a 60% rate. The younger, 18-24 (70%) and 12 -17 (67%), and older cohorts 35-40 (67%) and (40-44) 73%, all have higher rates.

“We are looking at different strategies to reach that group,” said Dr. Guan. “One of them is to work with primary care physicians. The Lakelands Family Health Team, for example, have called all of their rostered patients who have not been vaccinated, to see if they want one. And we are looking at other ideas as well.”

Public Health also announced that the outbreak on Davies 5 at Kingston Health Sciences Centre is now responsible for 14 cases of COVID, 7 among patients and 7 among staff. As of July 9, there were 20 active cases in the region. Of the 4 who are currently in hospital, 1 is on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. Earlier this week, a man in his 70’s, a well-known barber from Kingston, was the 4^th KFL&A resident to die as the result of contracting the virus since March 15, 2020.

Also on Friday, the Province of Ontario announced that stage 3 of the re-opening plan, which permits indoor dining with restrictions, and large outdoor gatherings with few restrictions, will commence on Friday, July 16, five days earlier than expected.

The provincial vaccination rate, and decreasing case load were cited as reasons for the date being moved forward by Dr. Kieran Moore, provincial medical officer of health, when he made the announcement.

The indoor masking order will remain in place, province-wide, until at least September.