COVID-19 Vaccination Program update

HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Health Partners are making significant progress in vaccinating members of the community who fall into Phase 1 of the Province’s COVID-19 Vaccination framework. We are pleased to announce that to date, we have administered over 10,000 vaccines through both the HHS fixed-site clinic and the mobile clinic – approximately 9200 through the fixed-site clinic and approximately 1200 through the mobile clinic. 

Beginning tomorrow, the Moderna mRNA vaccine will be incorporated into our existing vaccine supply and will be used at both the mobile and fixed-site clinics. We are pleased to have this supply of vaccine in our community at this time and will continue to work through the sequencing of eligible recipients through the Framework.

The current mobile vaccination clinic that began on January 10th has been extended and aims to be completed by January 20th.  The mobile vaccination clinic is currently vaccinating all long-term care home residents and those living in high-risk retirement homes, including residents of homes that are currently in outbreak.  The next step for the mobile vaccination clinic will begin on January 21st with the vaccination of residents and staff in retirement homes.

The current fixed-site vaccination clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences continues to take place and deliver vaccine to eligible priority groups as the supply is received from the provincial government. This is a by appointment only clinic, walk-ins are not permitted.

Hamilton’s health system is continuing to work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, following the priority framework set out by the provincial government, to preserve healthcare and hospital capacity and to protect people in vulnerable settings like long-term care homes.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination in Hamilton at www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines.

“We are doing everything possible to fight this very significant second wave of the corona virus pandemic. That’s why we are first and foremost protecting our most vulnerable people, including people in long-term care facilities and high-risk retirement homes and those on the front lines of our COVID-response. I am pleased that we are making significant progress in vaccinating members of the community who fall into Phase 1 of the Province’s COVID-19 Vaccination framework and we have now vaccinated more than 10,000 people in Hamilton. In the meantime, it is important that everyone follow public health guidelines in order to remain safe as we work to get the vaccine to you.”  - Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Quick facts

• To date, the mobile clinic has completed vaccination of the residents at the following facilities: Idylewyld Manor, St. Peter’s Residence, Hamilton Continuing Care, Macassa Lodge, Shalom Village, The Village at Wentworth Heights, Arbour Creek, Grace Villa, Clarion Nursing Home, Lakeview Nursing Home and Alexander Place. Over the coming days, the mobile clinic team will be heading to the following: Blackadar Continuing Care Centre and Retirement Residence, Dundurn Place Care Centre, Extendicare Hamilton, Regina Gardens LTC Residence, Baywoods Place, Heritage Green Nursing Home, Pine Villa Care Centre/New Village, Orchard Terrace Care Centre, Queens Garden LTC Residence, Deerview Crossing Retirement Residence and Wentworth Lodge.
• Working groups from across Hamilton’s health sector continue to work to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are distributed effectively and equitably once they arrive locally. Teams are focused on implementing the provincial framework to ensure prioritization of key populations is met and that the logistics around local storage and distribution of vaccine supply are ready to be operationalized.
• It is expected that vaccines will become available for more people in the winter and spring of 2021. It is expected that by end of 2021 everyone who wants a vaccine will be offered a vaccine free of cost.
• It is vital that members of the public ensure that public health measures still be practiced until it is safe and said to be safe by the health professionals in all levels of government.  Public health measures include: 
  • limit gatherings to only members of your immediate household
  • maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or 2 meters from others outside of your immediate household
  • wash hands frequently
  • wear a mask or face covering indoors and outdoors when not able to maintain physical distancing
  • stay home if you are feeling unwell
  • get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19

Additional Resources

• Read more about Ontario’s COVID vaccination program.
• www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines
• www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/assessment-centres
• https://covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]