Algoma Public Health is looking to expand vaccination clinics before the end of the month.
The local health unit says - as of yesterday - residents of Algoma long-term care homes and First Nation elder care lodges have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine - with overall resident uptake of the vaccine over 90 percent - while all staff and essential caregivers of Algoma long-term care and retirement homes have been offered immunization, and "highest priority" health care workers, adults 80 and older, and Indigenous adults 55 and older have begun receiving immunizations, as well.
North Algoma's currently in the midst of that, having offered broader vaccination clinics in Wawa over the last two days, with a clinic happening in White River today, and Dubreuilville tomorrow.
Algoma Public Health expects - based on provincial allocations expected in the weeks of March 22nd and 29th - vaccinations will start being offered in the coming two weeks for "very high priority" health care workers, immediate household members of Indigenous adults 55 or older - regardless of status or Indigenous identity - and adult recipients of chronic home care, with mobile teams being planned to assist, though North Algoma's clinics have already started covering at least some of those groups, too.
The health unit also notes the provincial government's following the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's recommendation to extend the interval between the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines to sixteen weeks, intended to increase the number of people getting the first dose amid limited vaccine supply, though residents of long-term care and retirement homes or elder care lodges will continue to get their second dose within 21 to 28 days of the first shot.
It further warns variants of concern are continuing to spread with COVID-19 activity "extremely high in many areas of northern Ontario", so it's still important to follow public health measures like avoiding close contact with people you don't live with - staying at least two metres away - while wearing a mask indoors and anywhere it's difficult to maintain physical distancing, and - if you or someone in your household is ill, stay home and call for testing.
Those recommendations apply to everyone, even those who've received COVID-19 immunization.