The Porcupine Health Unit is not yet vaccinating residents under 80 despite a provincial announcement Friday that the COVID-19 shot would be available to book for Ontarians 75+ as of yesterday.
Premier Doug Ford announced Friday that the province has vaccinated more than 50 per cent of those 80 or over and would be opening appointments to individuals aged 75 and over as of March 22.
While the provincial vaccine booking website indicates the Porcupine Health Unit is now taking bookings for those 75+, the health unit is not at that phase of its vaccination program yet.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the health unit said more information on clinics for people 75 years and older is coming soon. Right now, the health unit said it's finishing phase one. More information on future clinics will be shared on social media and on the health unit's website.
Those eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1 include people who are 80 or over (born in 1941 or before), Indigenous people 55 and older and their immediate household, very high and highest priority health workers, residents, staff and essential caregivers associated with retirement homes.
Right now, there are bookings open for one clinic in the region. People eligible for that are urban Indigenous adults who are 18 years and over. The clinic is being held in Iroquois Falls.
The provincial booking site also offers pharmacy vaccination as an option for those 60+, but that is only available as a pilot in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, Toronto, and Windsor-Essex County.
