While the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health (HKPR) is not quite ready to roll-out the COVID-19 vaccine, the CEO of Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) says there is something we can do to help move the process along.
“We are trying to get information out to folks in advance of that so people can be prepared as possible for when it does arrive,” CEO of HHHS Carolyn Plummer. She says that before you get the shot, you need to fill out a consent form. Plummer says that’s available on HHHS’ website and the Haliburton Family Health Team’s site. The Rotary Clubs in Haliburton and Minden are also helping to distribute a physical copy of the form to people at grocery stores and other places in the community.
When you get your vaccine, you will need to have that with you. Plummer explains it’s five pages long so to make sure you can get your vaccine quickly it’s best that you fill it out ahead of time. She says it’s not as “simple and straightforward” as the form you fill out before getting the flu shot.
In his weekly briefing, HKPR’s Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Gemmill said they’re committed to following the provincial guidelines and vaccinating residents over 80. “This is going to be a little different in different parts of HKPR,” he cautioned. He said last week that the Health Unit will be able to have at least two vaccination clinics in the three Counties that make up HKPR’s medical region. Dr. Gemmill did not say where they might be in Haliburton County but did say they are committed to making sure the clinics are close for everyone. He said that he doesn’t want anyone to have to drive more than 30 minutes to get the shot.Â
“It won’t be very long before I can tell you more about what’s happening,” Dr. Gemmill said.Â
He said that the province has promised 5,000 doses of the vaccine per week. It was not specified which vaccine will be delivered to the Health Unit. Dr. Gemmill said that’s great, but he hopes more are delivered to our region so he can get all residents inoculated quicker.