Get your shot now – which is actually possible

By Cecilia Nasmith

The press release from the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit sums it up - anyone, any dose, any time.

It's an invitation for anyone aged 12 and older to visit any of its mass immunization clinics in Cobourg (as well as Fenelon Falls and Minden) for a first or second COVID-19 shot on a walk-in basis – no appointment necessary.

This is possible because of the supplies the health unit is receiving, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking said.

“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,” Dr. Bocking said.

Conventional methods of making appointments still apply, she said, with thousands of appointments available at their clinics this month. But this is another option – and anyone opting for a walk-in is asked to bring along their Ontario Health Card.

In Cobourg, the clinic is located at the Cobourg Community Centre at 750 D'Arcy St., and hours can be found at www.hkpr.on.ca

There is also the option for area residents to get vaccinated at local pharmacies and at pop-up clinics hosted by local hospitals, family health teams and community health teams – where walk-ins are also welcome.

With so many opportunities – and with the Delta variant that is making its way to the local region - Dr. Bocking urges anyone who has a second-dose appointment booked for August, September or October to get it sooner in order to get better protection.

“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,” she urged.

Another group Dr. Bocking hopes will take advantage of the increased access to vaccine just now is local youth. With in-person learning expected to resume in the fall, she considers it crucial that young people aged 12 to 17 get both doses before that time.

“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 noted.

“For their protection, and the protection of their family and community members, it's important that our youth get vaccinated.”