MLHU keeping vaccine sites on hold as Omicron threat rises
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) says it is keeping “facilities on hold” should the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus spike demand for vaccines.
Tracey Gordon, the senior manager of the COVID-19 vaccination clinic, says the move is in response to a three-part wave of potential need.
She made her comments in an interview with CTV news London, following a tour of the Western Fair District Agriplex mass vaccination site. It is modified to accommodate children.Tracey Gordon, the senior manger of COVID-19 vaccination clinics for the Middlesex-London Health Unit stands in a family pod at the Agri-Plex mass vaccination clinic. The pods and areas leading to them have been adapted to be more child friendly including activities and decor. (Sean Irvine CTV News)
Currently, the MLHU is vaccinating children between five and 11 years of age, while also ramping up to give booster shots to adults over 50 starting Dec. 13.
Now, vaccination clinic staff are coping with the additional uncertainly of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.
MLHU Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said this week he believes Omicron will find its way to southwestern Ontario.
Gordon says her staff is preparing to react if needed.
“We have kept some facilities on hold in the background, anticipating we will need to open them,” says Gordon. “We can increase from our current seven-hour to 12-hour shifts.”
The health unit currently operates mass vaccination clinics at London’s Agriplex and the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges.
Gordon says since children’s vaccinations began a week ago, 4,500 kids have been vaccinated, with just over 3,500 of those given in London.
She says that’s a positive start towards getting a dose into the arms of an estimated 38,000 children in the MLHU’s catchment area.
Adults who got their first and second shots at the Agriplex will notice substantial differences inside.
The facility now has two streams, one solely for kids.
Gordon says the latter is designed to keep children engaged with activities as they move through the process of vaccination.
“We’ve tried to make it a very family-friendly environment. We have look and finds, we have stress stars. We have these family pods that keep families amongst themselves to be vaccinated.”
Vaccination is the key to heading off the virus and its new variant, Gordon maintains.
Nancy Del Maestro, a public health nurse, who came out of retirement is seen preparing a dose of COVID-19 vaccine for children. Behind her is Tracey Gordon, the senior manger of COVID-19 vaccination clinics for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.(Sean Irvine / CTV News)
Nancy Del Maestro concurs. The retired public health nurse signed up to fight COVID-19 one year ago.
While pleased to be vaccinating children, she admits it has been challenging to keep up with the fight.
“There have been times when you see a bright light at end of the tunnel, and then it dims again. It feels a bit dimmer right now with Omicron, but we’re doing more vaccines, so we’re getting there."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.