London and Middlesex County’s 1,000,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine was administered yesterday. The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) announced the milestone one year and 20 days after the vaccination effort kicked off at the Western Fair District Agriplex on December 23, 2020. Since then, an average of 2,597 doses of vaccine have been administered each day at settings ranging from mass vaccination clinics, hospitals, primary care practices and pharmacies, to long-term care and retirement homes, mobile and pop-up clinics, congregate living settings, workplaces and First Nations communities.

The effort to provide first, second and booster doses has been built on the foundation of the partnership forged between the City of London, the County of Middlesex, London Health Sciences Centre, the Middlesex-London Paramedic Services, Thames Valley Family Health Team, primary care, pharmacies, and the MLHU. As of Saturday, January 8th, more than 91.9% of all London and Middlesex County residents over the age of 12 had received at least one dose of vaccine; while 89.5% of this group had received two doses.

“This is an astounding achievement, not only because of the sheer number of vaccine doses that have been given, but more importantly the enthusiasm we’ve seen from community members who have rolled up their sleeves over the last year,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “Being vaccinated remains the best way to prevent serious illness resulting from exposure to COVID-19 and we hope to see even more people get protected.”

Because of the many ways the vaccine is currently being provided across the region, including mass vaccination clinics, mobile clinics, hospitals, primary care and local pharmacies, the MLHU is not able to provide the exact location and time when the millionth dose was given.

Anyone in London and Middlesex County who is over the age of 12 and has not yet received a first dose of vaccine can book a vaccination appointment at www.covidvaccinelm.ca. Second and booster dose appointments can also be booked for those who have already received an initial dose, as long as the required time has passed since receiving the previous dose.

For more information, including how and where to get vaccinated, details about vaccine eligibility and the schedule for mobile vaccination clinics in Middlesex County, operated by the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, visit www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317,
extension 2469, or 617-0570 (cell)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit