The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is now offering more walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics during July in Cobourg, Fenelon Falls, and Minden for anyone 12 years or older who needs a first or second dose of vaccine — with no appointment necessary.
“We are receiving a lot more vaccine which means we can offer more appointments and opportunities for people to get vaccinated,” says Dr. Natalie Bocking, the health unit’s medical officer of health, in a media release. “Our goal is to vaccinate as many residents as possible so we can all be protected from COVID and not have to see any further shutdowns, illness or deaths.”
While there are still thousands of appointments available to be booked at health unit clinics until the end of July, Dr. Bocking says residents can also now visit a clinic as a walk-in for their first or second dose. No appointment is required, but anyone coming to a clinic is asked to bring their Ontario health card.
Walk-in vaccinations are available at the following clinic locations and dates:
- Cobourg Community Centre (750 D’Arcy Street, Cobourg) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clinics are scheduled for July 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.
- Fenelon Falls Community Centre (27 Veterans Way, Fenelon Falls) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clinics are scheduled for July 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25.
- S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena (55 Parkside Street, Minden) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clinics are scheduled for July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22.
More clinic dates may be made available depending on vaccine supply. For updates, visit the health unit’s website at hkpr.on.ca/2021/04/30/vaccination-clinics/.
In addition to the walk-in clinics, people who prefer to book an appointment can so so through the provincial booking system at ontario.ca/bookvaccine.
Vaccinations are also available at selected local pharmacies, pop-up clinics being hosted by local hospitals, family health teams, and community health teams. The health unit says walk-ins are also welcome at many of these clinics.
Dr. Bocking is urging all area residents who already have a second-dose appointment booked for August, September, or October to get their second dose sooner, as the delta variant is now prevalent across the province.
“We know the delta variant is more transmissible and can cause more severe illness, so it’s important people get their second dose as soon as they can to ensure they are protected,” Dr. Bocking says, adding that two doses offer better protection from the delta variant.
Dr. Bocking is also encouraging youth aged 12 to 17 to get vaccinated, as in-person learning is expected to resume in the fall.
“While most young people who got COVID did not suffer severe symptoms, we don’t know if that will be the case with the variants of concern we are seeing now,” she says. “For their protection, and the protection of their family and community members, it’s important that our youth get vaccinated.”
