DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
DURHAM: The Durham Region Health Department is turning their sights to vaccinating residents over the age of 80
“Beginning Monday, March 8th, at 8 a.m., residents of Durham Region can begin registering for appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, beginning with individuals over the age of 80, via an online booking system or a central telephone booking line,” read a regional press release, sent out on Thursday, March 4th.
Vaccination appointments will begin this week at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in Bowmanville and the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex in Pickering.
The current vaccine site, at Durham College and Ontario Tech University, has been working on vaccinating healthcare workers, and will transition, in addition, to serve the 80 years and older demographic later this week. In that same release, the Region stated, when that happens “the community will be notified.”
Those residents who meet this demographic can register for an appointment online, at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment, or by phone, at 1-800-841-2729.
“The Health Department is also planning to offer mobile clinics to provide vaccine[s] to populations and individuals who may have difficulty accessing larger clinics. More details regarding mobile clinics will be available in the coming weeks,” the regional press release stated.
In a statement, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Kyle said, the region is “pleased to be offering COVID-19 vaccine[s] to the 80 and older population.”
“As soon as we receive more vaccine[s] and the province gives the go ahead to begin additional Phases of the vaccination process, Health Department staff will be prepared to move to the next designated priority group. We ask for everyone’s patience as we work through each Phase of the plan, to help us ensure everyone in our community has access to COVID-19 vaccine[s],” Dr. Kyle’s statement read.
Durham Regional Chair John Henry called this “just the first step in the long road ahead.”