Mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic hitting the road in Sudbury
A mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic could soon be coming to a neighbourhood near you thanks to a collaboration between the City of Greater Sudbury and Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
No appointments will be required and the bus will be on the road between Tuesday and Sunday for at least the summer months.
"The purpose of the bus is for us to take the vaccine and meet people where they're at," said Karly McGibbon, a public health nurse. "So we've done great work with the large, mass immunization clinics at the local arena, so that's been a wonderful start. Now, what we want to do is reach populations that maybe can't get to a clinic."
The bus plans to hit neighbourhoods and small towns where the need is greatest. It'll hit areas around the city, as well as Chapleau, Killarney, and Manitoulin Island.
Mass clinics in the city, for the most part, aren't seeing the large lines or numbers they once were at the height of the vaccination period. Officials are hoping this might help to entice some of the hesitant.
"The mass clinics are slowing down, which is to be expected. It means more people are vaccinated, so the demand for the mass centres is less. So now what we're doing is changing it up a little bit," she said.
The move also comes amid a push from the province to get hospitals out of the vaccine business and to keep it with public health and primary care practitioners.
The mobile clinic will work the same as the mass clinics. People who approach the bus will be greeted by staff and get signed in. Once they enter, they'll be escorted to a seat and put through the COVAX system.
Participants will receive their shot, wait 15 minutes to monitor for any adverse side effects, and then be allowed to leave.
Officials are warning people, with it being 'first come, first served', if interest is high, they may not be able to get to everyone.
"A success would be for us to immunize one person that otherwise would not have been immunized," McGibbon said. "So people who come on the bus from let's say Capreol, who say 'well, I can't get to town because I have mobility issues...' that's a success for us, reaching the people that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to reach."
"I think the mobile bus will make it very equitable for folks to come out and get a vaccine when they've experienced barriers. So I think it will be a game-changer in terms of reaching those folks for sure," said Melissa Roney, deputy chief of emergency services.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts started with their pop-up clinics last weekend. Roney said it's very important that they get out into the community, even further than what's being done.
She has wondered about vaccine hesitancy with the diminishing lines at mass vaccination clinics but is hopeful most are still planning on having a two-dose summer.
"I think there's many factors and I think bringing it a little closer makes it more convenient, reduces or takes down whatever barrier it is, whether that's mobility or hesitancy and they'll come out and get their vaccine quick," Roney said.
The pop-up clinic at Moonlight Beach on Sunday saw more than 200 people attend.
The mobile vaccine clinic hits the road on Monday and Public Health Sudbury and Districts has planned stops for Sudbury, Copper Cliff, Capreol, Azilda, and Onaping the first week.
The vaccination rates of residents in the Sudbury district are higher than the Ontario average.
As of Sunday, 78.5 per cent of residents ages 12 and older have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine compared to 77.3 per cent province-wide. A total of 57 per cent of residents ages 12 and older have received second doses as opposed to 48.4 per cent Ontario-wide.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.