A mobile clinic being held Wednesday and Thursday of this week at Homewood Health Centre will vaccinate about 175 patients.
Late last week the Homewood staff connected with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health to plan the mobile clinic, said John Prieto, director of clinical support services, policy and projects at Homewood.
“We heard this was of interest to public health mid last week, we had a subsequent meeting Thursday afternoon with public health in which we confirmed their interest and we confirmed our ability to deliver really quickly,” said Prieto. “We got the go-ahead on Thursday afternoon, so we have come together in a matter of three business days and put together the clinic to start today — which is an incredible feat.”
Doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived on Wednesday morning for the two-day mobile clinic, which is intended only for patients who meet the criteria by being within a congregate living setting.
“Which is essentially all of our patients, except the ones who are being discharged this week,” said Prieto.
All staff at Homewood who wanted a vaccination have received at least one dose earlier from WDG Public Health clinics, he said.
About 175 patients are expected to receive a first dose of the Moderna vaccine over the course of Wednesday and Thursday this week. New admissions will be vaccinated at the facility on an ongoing basis, said Prieto.
“The plan is to continue to vaccinate new admissions on a weekly basis, supported by ongoing infection control practices, social distancing, masking procedures and the ongoing rapid antigen testing,” he said. “We really feel this is further enhancement for the safety of patients, staff and the community.”
By early Wednesday afternoon about 50 patients had been vaccinated.
“That so far is incredibly positive and the patients are extremely happy and feel fortunate to have this opportunity, given that perhaps in the community they may not have had this opportunity quite yet because of the staging,” said Prieto.
WDG Public Health is currently operating five clinics open the the general public by appointment at Alder Recreation Centre, Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, Linamar/Skyjack, University of Guelph and West End Community Centre.
The pop-up clinic at Homewood is more like the mobile clinics that were held at long-term care facilities than a clinic for the general public, said Danny WIlliamson, communications specialist with WDG Public Health.
"We will continue to try and meet targeted groups under the Province’s prioritization through whatever best reaches those populations," said Williamson. "These include projects with local EMS, our hospitals, Guelph CHC and organizations like Homewood. The clinics are our primary driver of vaccinations but the goal is to reduce barriers wherever possible to ensure everyone in our region has equitable access to the vaccine as soon as it’s their turn to get it.”
