Recipients of some of the area’s first COVID-19 vaccines administered at Memorial Gardens are in good spirits following their first dose.
“I know how important it is. I’m happy that I got it and it didn’t hurt a bit,” said Stella Sinclair in the parking lot of Memorial Gardens Monday morning following her vaccination appointment.
“I haven’t been in a grocery store or any other store for over a year,” Sinclair continued. “I’m happy to get my shot.”
84-year-old Harvey Schubert says it’s “comforting” to receive his first dose of the vaccine.
“It gives you the sense that now we’ll be able to travel around the area a little more,” he said.
Harvey’s wife, Terry, says the past year has been “quiet” as she and her husband have been trying to stay safe at home.
“We have missed our children. We have not seen our children in almost two years,” she said.
Both Sinclair and the Schuberts reported having to wait for a short period of time due to what they called a “computer glitch”.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit confirms there was a “small user error glitch” at the clinic Monday morning, adding the situation has been rectified.
About half an hour after vaccinations began, a lineup of about 50 physically distanced people could be seen winding around the corner of Memorial Gardens.
The Health Unit stated last week it had over 900 people booked for vaccination Monday in North Bay, with hopes to administer 5,700 doses across the region by the end of the week.
Despite the provincial announcement last week, the Health Unit is currently not able to book appointments beginning Monday for individuals 75-79 years of age. The Health Unit is still working through the phase 1 priorities. Booking of phase 2 priority vaccinations, which includes seniors aged 60-79 years of age, will begin when the majority of phase 1 vaccinations are near completion.
The Health Unit asks that individuals aged 75-79 DO NOT try to book appointments at this time as it will not result in an appointment being created and it will slow the booking process down for others.
