After three years of operation at the Western Fair District, the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s (MLHU) mass vaccination clinic will be permanently closing on December 16, 2023. The clinic first opened in partnership with London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) at the Western Fair District Agriplex in December 2020 and relocated to the Western Fair District’s main building in October 2022, operating for a total of 518 clinic days between the two locations, and provided 235,407 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
MLHU's commitment to accessible and efficient vaccination services was critical to the community’s pandemic response. More than 150 dedicated staff members from 10 partnering organizations, in addition to 100 physicians and 400 MLHU staff members, contributed to the most historic vaccination effort in the 21st century. To address evolving community needs, the Western Fair District vaccination clinic also provided school immunization services and offered co-administration of the influenza vaccine in the fall of 2023, which has left a lasting mark on the community’s health landscape.
“This moment signifies an important milestone in our collective journey against the global pandemic, and it is with appreciation that we acknowledge the hard work and dedication of everyone involved,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “The closure of the clinic is not just the end of a chapter but a testament to the resilience and strength of our community in the face of unprecedented challenges. The countless hours of hard work, compassion, and commitment exhibited by everyone has been instrumental in achieving our shared goal of promoting and protecting the health of our community. Looking ahead, it is important to remember that the fight against COVID-19 and vaccination efforts in our community continue.”
While the doors of the COVID-19 vaccination clinic may be closing, there is still time to receive your vaccines at the Western Fair site. Walk-ins are welcome during our operational hours, Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Or you can also book an appointment by visiting www.covidvaccinelm.ca or calling 226-289-3560, Monday to Friday between 9AM and 5PM. Select local pharmacies and healthcare providers will continue providing vaccinations beyond December 16
Where and how to book an appointment after December 16:
- Pharmacies: Please contact the pharmacy directly to confirm about vaccine availability and to book an appointment. For a list of participating pharmacies, visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
- Healthcare Provider: Check with your Healthcare Provider about vaccine availability and book directly with their office.
Media Contact:
Morgan Lobzun, Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0571, media@mlhu.on.ca
Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit