Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) announced it completed its first round of COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible long-term care residents in the region.
Since January 12, the health unit, along with Oxford County Paramedic Services and Medavie EMS administered over 1,100 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Jamie Fletcher, manager of SWPH's COVID-19 mass immunization task force says the arrival of the vaccines brings hope to the communities.
"A massive amount of work and marathon days made this achievement possible by both our own team and long-term care home administration. Doses in arms brought joy, tears and hope to the residents, staff, and families of the homes our mobile teams visited," Fletcher said in a statement.
SWPH says the province provided notice to regional health units about a shortage in vaccine supply. It added that the Ministry of Health has since worked to redistribute and prioritize the limited supply to the more vulnerable populations. The health unit says second doses of the vaccine for long-term care residents are scheduled for between 21-27 days, while others will be eligible within 42 days.
"We will work diligently, despite supply and logistics challenges, to continue this positive momentum as we move into the next stage of this journey," Fletcher added.
The health unit says residents in high-risk retirement homes are the next priority group in the region to receive vaccinations which began on Tuesday.
"This has been a long year, and we are all ready to see the end of this pandemic. Vaccinations are a step in the right direction," said Dr. Joyce Lock, medical officer of health. "It is important that we all work together to keep each other healthy until we realize the benefits of this immunization program. Until then, keep up with the measures that are protecting your health and that of your loved ones."