Halton Region Urges Residents to get vaccinated

By: Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative

Halton Region is urging residents to get both doses of COVID-19 Vaccine as soon as possible.  Appointments are available throughout the rest of July, and into August thanks to a constant supply of vaccine.

“We are in a race against COVID-19 and its variants.  We need to get everyone fully vaccinated to avoid a fourth wave in the fall,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani said.

The vaccine gives extra protection against the delta variant.  “We need 90% vaccinated, and every dose counts,” Meghani added. There are a variety of ways to get the vaccine:

• Over 100 Pharmacy locations throughout the Region.  Some are offering walk-in appointments
• Walk-in clinic: Gary Allan Learning Centre: Daily 8am-1pm
• Community Clinics across Halton Region offer appointments throughout Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, and Milton.  Appointments
• St Francis Xavier Secondary School will be opening as a vaccine location as of July 26.  Appointments can be booked now
• Provincial pop-up clinic: July 24 and 25 at Holy Trinity Secondary School in Oakville

Anyone 12 years of age, and over who has an appointment for their second dose in September or October is asked to book an earlier date.  Residents are reminded to cancel their appointments, if they’ve found a second dose elsewhere.

When arriving at your appointment:

• Use the Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Screening tool to complete a wellness check before entering a clinic
• Attend appointments alone if possible.  One support person such as a caregiver or is allowed if required.
• Arrive no sooner than 10 minutes before your appointment
• Wear a mask
• Transportation services are available free of charge to residents who need it.

Halton recorded an increase of 16 cases as of Wednesday, including 3 from Milton.  6,025 cases of COVID-19 variants have been reported to date.  2,074 have been recorded in Milton.