As COVID-19 cases continue to mount, Public Health Sudbury and Districts is again offering vaccination opportunities in the region this week.
Eligible individuals looking to get their first, second, or third dose can book an appointment through the provincial government’s online booking system or attend a walk-in clinic.
Residents of Ontario 18 years of age and older who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago are now eligible to receive a booster dose.
The health unit said in a release it has redeployed staff to “quickly ramp up local capacity and vaccination appointments due to increased eligibility.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while clinic staff works diligently to offer vaccinations. Please be kind, be patient, and be respectful to one another,” said the health unit.
“Know that you may wait sometime before being immunized, and that our ability to immunize walk-ins is based upon having sufficient vaccine supplies.”
COVID-19 vaccination is available by appointment every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at the Carmichael Arena in Greater Sudbury.
The health unit is also offering COVID-19 vaccination by appointment every Wednesday at the Espanola Golf & Country Club located on 309 Golf Club Rd. in Espanola.
Vaccination clinics in the region are closed on statutory holidays.
This week’s vaccination schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, Jan. 5
- Appointment only clinic at Public Health’s Chapleau office.
- Appointment and walk-in clinics at Espanola Golf & Country Club, Garson Community Centre and Arena and the Southridge Mall located on 1933 Regent St. in Greater Sudbury.
Thursday, Jan. 6
- Appointment only clinic at Chapleau and District Family Health Team.
- Appointment and walk-in clinics at Garson Community Centre and Arena, Carmichael Arena and the Manitoulin Tourism Information Centre in Little Current.
Friday, Jan. 7
- Appointment and walk-in clinics at Carmichael Arena and Dr. Edgar Leclair Community Centre and Arena located on 158 St-Agnes Street in Azilda.
Saturday, Jan. 8
- Appointment and walk-in clinic at Carmichael Arena in Greater Sudbury
For a list of pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccination in Ontario, visit www.covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations. Call your primary care provider for more information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Anyone born in 2016 and earlier is now eligible to receive their first dose of an mRNA vaccine.
Those aged 18 and older are eligible to receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. These two vaccines can be safely interchanged.
The Pfizer vaccine is the only shot approved for those aged five to 17 in Canada.
According to the health unit, the “Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty pediatric dose (10 micrograms) is approved for children turning 5 years old by the end of 2021 to age 11.”
Additionally, the “Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (30 micrograms) is approved for youth turning 12 years old before the end of 2021 to age 17.”
Anyone who received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine more than 21 days ago or the Moderna vaccine more than 28 days ago is eligible to receive their second dose.
Those looking to receive their second dose can attend a walk-in clinic or book their second dose online at www.covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 705-674-2299 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The following individuals are now eligible to receive a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine:
- Individuals 18 years of age and older who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago (168 days, 24 weeks).
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults 16 years of age and older including non-Indigenous household members, who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago.
- Eligible health care workers 16 years of age and older who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago
- Individuals who received two doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago.
- Individuals who received one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago.
- Vulnerable older adults in congregate settings who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago.
Public Health reminds the public that it is possible there won’t be enough doses to offer vaccine to everyone who attends a walk-in, pop-up, or mobile clinic.
More vaccination opportunities may be added throughout the week.
For regular updates, click here. If you have questions about vaccines or clinics, click here or call Sudbury’s health unit at 705-522-9200.
Colleen Romaniuk is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter at The Sudbury Star. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
