With new vaccine coverage data released today, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is announcing that over 75% of the region’s population aged 12 and older has now received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The total number of doses administered in London and Middlesex County, since the first dose was given just over eight months ago, now stands at 717,351, with 82.8% of the eligible population having received their first dose. This milestone comes as a result of collaboration with hundreds of organizations and partners across the region who have supported the vaccination effort by hosting vaccination clinics and administering COVID-19 vaccinations to primary care patients and long-term care and retirement home residents. It is through these partnerships and support from London Health Sciences Centre, Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, the County of Middlesex, the City of London and Thames Valley Family Health Team that this mass vaccination effort continues to be a success.
Despite reaching this milestone, the Medical Officer of Health strongly recommends that those who have yet to receive a first or second dose book their COVID-19 vaccine appointments or visit a pop-up clinic as soon as possible. The reality right now is that a single dose of vaccine does not offer enough protection against the more infectious Delta variant given how much virus is currently circulating in the community. Two doses are needed to protect yourself and others from the variant. There are currently 402 cases of the Delta variant reported in the region, of which 56% were reported to MLHU in the last month alone. With the Delta variant continuing to circulate and cause cases and outbreaks in the region, it’s more important than ever that 90% or more of those who are eligible to get the vaccine receive both first and second doses.
“Even though we’ve crossed the 75% threshold, that’s still not enough coverage among our population to keep ourselves and our most vulnerable safe this fall and winter,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “There’s still work to do.”
In an effort to increase accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine, MLHU continues to hold a number of Walk-in Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics each week. Anyone born in 2009 and turning 12 in 2021 is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic, visit www.covidvaccinelm.ca or stop by one of the walk-in pop-up vaccination clinics in London and Middlesex County. For a complete list of vaccination clinic locations and times visit www.healthunit.com/pop-up-vaccination-clinics.
Media Contact:
Beth Milne, Communications Supervisor, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0564 (cell)
Spokesperson:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit