Weekend vaccination clinics held across Simcoe Muskoka, Grey Bruce, and York Region
As the province's vaccine rollout continues to pick up speed, more options for clinics are being made available.
Pop-up clinics were held across the Simcoe Muskoka, Grey Bruce and York Region health units, many accepting walk-ins for second doses.
"It felt great getting my second shot, so I'm glad it's done and over with," says Kurt Neiman, a resident of Coldwater, where more than 600 doses were being administered at the Coldwater Arena.
"The delta variant, which is becoming more and more prevalent in our communities, requires two doses, so we are encouraging everyone to get vaccinated," says Carmine Stumpo, the president and CEO of Orillia Soldier Memorial Hospital.
Staff at the Coldwater clinic were trying to make doses as easy as possible, with some even getting vaccinated in the comfort of their vehicle.
"They're all very happy that it's in our community; they don't have to go far," says Judith Cox, a Coldwater councillor. "Then we are hoping today to get some walk-ins even, people who didn't realize it was on and go by."
On its social media page Friday, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit announced that walk-in appointments for both first and second doses would be accepted at its Sperling Drive location in Barrie.
"If you're still needing dose one, just come," says Amy Wardell, the RVH Immunization Clinic Manager. "If you're needing your second dose and it's been 28 days since your first, just come."
Every day the Sperling Drive clinic is administering up to 1800 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Officials say if you haven't been vaccinated, now is the time.
"With the walk-in clinic, it's great," says Darrin Malone, a resident of Barrie. "We've been here two minutes, and we're already walking in the front door."
The push to vaccinate is also on in Grey Bruce, which has been seeing some of its highest daily case counts throughout the entire pandemic over the last few weeks. On Saturday, an additional 18 cases were added.
"We have the capacity, we have the support from the province," says Dr. Ian Arra, the medical officer of health for Grey Bruce. "The past seven days, we administered 26,000 doses in Grey Bruce.
The area was deemed one of the province's delta hot spots on Thursday as it continues to see a surge in infections. The health unit hopes to have its mass immunization completed by the end of the month by having a majority of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
York Region is also continuing to expedite its vaccination campaign. Approximately 2,400 doses were administered at a clinic at the Aurora Community Centre Saturday. There are spots available at the Ray Twinney vaccination site in Newmarket. For more information, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.