Vaccine clinics continue based on availability of supply

Waterloo Region – Vaccines continues to be rolled out in the region based on the availability of supply. The recent announcement from Pfizer of a decrease in the Canadian allocation of vaccine has resulted in a need to rework the current vaccine clinic plan for the Grand River Hospital clinic. The reduction in supply is due to Pfizer retooling its production line so they are able to produce increased volumes of vaccine in the months ahead.

The decision has been made to pause the GRH clinic until January 24 when it will resume delivering second doses.  At this time, all second doses will be scheduled for between 25-28 days post the first dose which is consistent with Pfizer’s recommendations, and Health Canada guidance.

Shirley Hilton, Deputy Chief for the Waterloo Regional Police Service and head of the Region of Waterloo COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force acknowledged, “We will continue to focus on administering doses to those in long-term care homes and high risk retirement homes through our mobile clinic team. Once our allocation is increased, we will be ready to fully resume our vaccination plan.”

Although vaccines are still being allocated to the region, the reduction in supply means a temporary slow-down of vaccinations in January and early February. The current plan continues to be the prioritization of long-term care home and high risk retirement home residents, staff and essential care partners while also ensuring that those who have received their first dose, receive their second within 28 days. Given current supply forecasts to mid-February, no further hospital staff or physicians will receive first doses until vaccine supply increases. 

Members of the public are asked to continue following public health guidelines to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading in our community. More information on how you can protect yourself and others can be found on our website.

More information and regular updates on the work of the taskforce are available on the Region of Waterloo’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce Webpage.

Media Contact:

Julie Kalbfleisch, Manager, Information & Communications
Public Health and Emergency Services
jkalbfleisch@regionofwaterloo.ca

General Inquiries: publichealth@regionofwaterloo.ca

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