Public Service Announcement: Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine Available to Eligible Individuals, by Appointment Only

NIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON – The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has scheduled additional clinics throughout the region to support the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. The Health Canada approved bivalent COVID-19 vaccine targets the original COVID-19 strain along with the Omicron variant, specifically the BA.1 subvariant.

Effective immediately, eligible individuals may book an appointment to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. Eligibility includes individuals in the following groups who have completed their primary series (generally two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, or three if immunocompromised) and a recommended six months (168 days) have passed since their last dose or COVID-19 infection:

• Residents, staff and essential caregivers in long-term care or retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other Congregate Living Settings;
• Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over;
• Health care workers aged 18 and over;
• First Nations, Indigenous and Métis individuals and their household members aged 18 and over;
• Individuals aged 70 and over;
• Pregnant individuals aged 18 and over.

To help reduce wait times and to optimize vaccine supply, clinics lead by the Health Unit will be limited to booked appointments only. The Health Unit will advise the public when walk-ins can be accommodated at specific clinics. Upcoming clinics for the next two weeks include:

Mattawa

• Monday, Sept. 12 at Mattawa Golden Age Club (464 Poplar St., Mattawa) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (walk-ins can be accommodated)
• Friday, Sept. 23 at Mattawa Golden Age Club from 10 a.m. to noon

North Bay

• Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Elks Lodge (325 Elks Ln., North Bay) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Elks Lodge from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Elks Lodge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parry Sound

• Thursday, Sept. 15 at Parry Sound Mall (70 Joseph St., Parry Sound) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 22 at Parry Sound Mall from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sturgeon Falls

• Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Marcel Noel Hall (219 O’Hara St., Sturgeon Falls) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sundridge

• Wednesday, Sept. 21 at SSJ Arena (14 Albert St. N, Sundridge) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Individuals aged 18 and older who previously booked a booster dose appointment for any of these clinics may be offered the bivalent vaccine and are advised not to reschedule their appointment. Clinics beyond September 25 will soon be added to the schedule, allowing individuals aged 18 and older to book appointments to receive the bivalent vaccine in smaller communities throughout the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts.

Those who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to book online at Ontario.ca/BookVaccine. Individuals unable to book online can phone the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit call centre at 1-844-478-1400. The Health Unit anticipates high call volumes and asks callers to be patient.

Private appointments can be made through participating pharmacies.

Age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccines continue to be offered to individuals aged six months and older. For the full clinic schedule and more information, visit myhealthunit.ca/GetVaccinated or contact the Health Unit call centre.

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Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca