On January 12, PeopleCare Tavistock resident Earl Morrison was one of the first long-term care home residents in the region to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This significant milestone in the region’s fight against the deadly virus resulted from a partnership among London Health Sciences Centre, Oxford County Emergency Medical Services, and the staff of Southwestern Public Health and the local care homes. In total 118 vaccines were administered at Maple Manor in Tillsonburg, Extendicare in Port Stanley and PeopleCare in Tavistock.

The region has a total of 1378 long term care home residents to vaccinate in addition to more than 500 residents in local retirement homes.

“We are so happy to share a good news story during an otherwise difficult time. As a result of significant planning and strong partnership, the Pfizer vaccine was transferred London Health Sciences Centre to homes in our region assessed to have an urgent need. Yesterday was an exciting first step in protecting the most vulnerable in our community,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health for the region. “We appreciate the flexibility, organization and enthusiasm of our Long-Term Care Home partners who made yesterday possible.”

Vaccination for staff at these homes began in December 2020 at the Western Fair Agriplex and is ongoing. Southwestern Public Health is working closely with London Health Sciences Centre, which houses the regions supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, to ensure first doses of the twodose vaccine are administered to eligible Long-Term Care and Retirement Home staff, residents, and essential caregivers by mid-February.

Due to a very limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine, this initial allocation was prioritized for individuals who have not yet tested positive for the COVID-19 illness. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 will have a level of natural immunity upon recovery. Southwestern Public Health will return to Homes that have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 virus when vaccine supplies increase.

Learn more about local COVID-19 immunization at swpublichealth.ca/covid19vaccine.