With hundreds of Sudbury residents lined up around the perimeter of the parking lot at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex Tuesday morning, there seemed to be no surprise when Public Health Sudbury and District was "sold out" of their allocation of COVID-19 vaccines before noon, according to a social media posting.
The clinic was scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but the first arrival for a vaccine was outside the arena door at 5:30 a.m.
The elder gentleman who was first in line, a retiree who did not want his name used, said he figured it was a reasonable thing to do since he was awake early and had nothing else on the schedule Tuesday morning. He said he was first to arrive but added it wasn't long before dozens of others began arriving.
Within an hour, the lineup extended well past the actual arena building and then along the parking lot perimeter. The clinic was open to everyone aged 12 and older seeking their first dose, but in most cases it appeared the people were older residents who were showing up for their second doses.
It was a similar situation on Monday when the first “no-appointment-required” walk-in clinic was held. PHSD revealed on social media that more than 500 vaccinations were given out at the Carmichael arena on Monday, the first day of walk-in clinics for the health unit. Roughly 500 doses were also available at the Countryside arena on Tuesday
"The success of our vaccination clinics involves many, many people—from the staff and volunteers running things on the ground to those that stand in line and roll up their sleeves. We are encouraged by the feedback we have heard, recognize the challenges that arose, and look forward to making improvements at our upcoming walk-in clinics this week," said the PHSD notice.
While the crowds seem to demonstrate the popularity of the walk-in option, PHSD is reminding city residents that they should check the health unit website to ensure they are eligible for the walk-ins this week. PHSD said vaccine seekers found to be ineligible will be turned away.
Individuals 70 years of age and older in 2021 or those who received a first dose of any vaccine type on or before April 18, 2021, are now eligible for a second dose. Individuals may also be eligible for a second dose at the original dose interval if they have certain health conditions or are members of high-risk population groups.
PHSD said additional walk-in clinics are being held for the rest of this week in Greater Sudbury:
-June 15, 2021, at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be up to 500 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
-June 16, 2021, at the Centennial Community Centre and Arena (Hanmer) between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be up to 250 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
-June 17, 2021, at the Dr. Edgar Leclair Community Centre and Arena (Azilda) between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be up to 150 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
-June 18, 2021, at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be up to 450 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Also in Espanola:
-June 16, 2021, at the Espanola Recreation Centre between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will be up to 200 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
And in Sudbury East:
-June 17, 2021, at the St. Charles Community Centre between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will be up to 65 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
PHSD has also published information with respect to receiving different vaccines from the first dose.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has stated that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can be interchanged for first and second doses. If you got a first dose of a mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) you should be offered the same mRNA vaccine for your second dose if the vaccine supply allows. If the same mRNA vaccine is not readily available, another mRNA vaccine can be interchanged to complete the vaccine series. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe to be used together in a vaccine schedule, said the PHSD website.
If your first dose was AstraZeneca, for your second dose you can choose to receive either:
If you choose a second dose of AstraZeneca, you can get your second dose eight weeks after the first. (Provided it was given April 18, 2021 or earlier.)
Again this could be either Pfizer or Moderna, depending on supply. PHSD also stated that additional doses of AstraZeneca and Moderna are expected and additional opportunities to receive first and second doses will become available. Check the provincial online booking system often for updates and opportunities to book an appointment.
