The area’s homeless population could potentially expect to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in April.
Andrea McLellan, director of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s COVID-19 immunization strategy, says homeless people sit early in Phase 2 of the province’s vaccination plan.
“It’s going to take us a little more time to get there,” she said during a media conference on Monday.
Last week, the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) indicated it is prepared to work with the Health Unit to vaccinate the area’s homeless.
McLellan stated Monday that when Phase 2 begins, which is scheduled in April according to the province, the Health Unit will work with DNSSAB and the homeless shelters in the area to administer vaccines.
“We will do our best to meet them where they’re comfortable versus having them come to a larger venue they might not be comfortable in,” she said.
As for making sure the homeless are aware vaccines are available, DNSSAB chair Mark King is confident his agencies will help spread the message.
“All these different organizations that are all available to get the word out, I would certainly expect those people to be a part of the process,” King said.
As of Monday, the Health Unit had administered just under 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines. McLellan added plans are in place to vaccinate the region’s First Nations communities, along with adults over the age of 80.
She adds she is confident that everyone in the region will receive at least one dose of a vaccine by June 30 as per the Ministry of Health’s guidelines, so long as there is a sufficient supply of shots.
