Sudbury health unit aiming to vaccinate 90% of residents
Public Health Sudbury & Districts said Friday the path to returning to normal lies in getting as many people fully vaccinated as possible.
"Step 3 requires low case counts and immunization rates for Ontarians aged 12 and older of at least 80 per cent for one dose and 75 per cent for two doses," the health unit said in a news release. "No public health unit can have a two-dose rate lower than 70 per cent."
Currently, 79 per cent of residents in Public Health's coverage area has one dose of vaccine, and 60.9 per cent have two .
"In the wake of the more infectious Delta variant spreading in Ontario, Public Health is launching an area-wide challenge to go even further," the release said. "Public Health is aiming for a target of 90 per cent of those 12 and older to be fully vaccinated."
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health, said in the release said it's time for everyone to step up and get the shot.
“Book now or show up at one of our convenient walk-in, pop-up, or mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Don’t delay,” Sutcliffe said.
“We are so fortunate that vaccine supply is no longer an issue. We are tracking to have enough vaccine to offer two doses to every eligible individual in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts by end of August. And if you have your two doses already — great news — you can still help by talking to family, friends, and neighbours about their motivation for vaccination.”
While local vaccination rates have reduced the number of new cases being reported, the virus still poses a threat. The Delta variant is the most common virus strain circulating in Ontario. It is more transmissible and causes more serious disease. The vaccine is also less effective against this variant, requiring two doses for a protective immune response.
“Because the Delta variant of the virus is more transmissible, vaccination rates need to be as high as possible," Sutcliffe said.
"High rates of vaccination mean that we will be less dependent on other measures to keep us safe, such as distancing, masking, and limits in our favourite stores, movie theatres, gyms, and restaurants."
Recent surges in cases in the Waterloo and Grey Bruce regions are reminders of how quickly things can change, she added. And residents who booked a second dose appointment earlier this year have to rebook a second shot, which are available much faster than originally scheduled.
"There is enough vaccine to mean that the 112-day wait for the second dose is no longer needed," the health unit said.
If you have received a first dose and are waiting for your second-dose appointment, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 705-674-2299 (toll-free 1-800-708-2505) to book your shot. The original appointment will be cancelled.
Anyone 12 and over can also choose to attend a pop-up, walk-in, or mobile clinics with no appointment to receive their second dose at a minimum of 21 days after their first dose for Pfizer-BioNTech or minimum of 28 days for Moderna.
In addition, individuals can also visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for pharmacies or contact their primary care providers to see if they offer vaccination against COVID-19.
For the most up-to-date vaccination opportunities offered by Public Health in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics. Near the end of the summer, the health will begin ramping down our mass immunization clinics.
By the numbers
• To date, 107 041 residents 12 and older in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are now fully vaccinated.
• 100 per cent of individuals aged 80 and over have received their first dose and 96.3 per cent have received their second dose.
• 92.3 per cent of individuals aged 60 to 79 have received their first dose and 83.0 per cent have received their second dose.
• 74.5 per cent of individuals aged 40 to 59 have received their first dose and 57.2 per cent have received their second dose.
• 60.6 per cent of individuals 18 to 39 have received their first dose and 39.6 per cent have received their second dose.
• 55.2 per cent of individuals aged 12 to 17 have received their first dose and 18.6 per cent have received their second dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.