Hamilton's 'dwindling' supply of vaccines delays Rosedale mass vaccination site

A "dwindling" supply of vaccines in Hamilton will delay the opening of a planned fourth mass vaccination clinic at Rosedale Arena, and is the reason the city is not yet offering vaccines to people over age 65 like neighbouring Halton Region, officials said Wednesday.

Speaking at a city council meeting, both Mayor Fred Eisenberger and medical officer of health Dr. Elizabeth Richardson lamented the low supply at a time the city is seeing higher case numbers than the provincial average and another grey-zone lockdown.

Richardson said Hamilton receives 14,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesdays, but challenges with Moderna shipments have left the city waiting for many expected doses.

"We're waiting for the three-quarters of the shipment we were due to have March 22," she said. "We don't know when the next shipment will be coming. It is causing significant challenges."

Coun. Brad Clark (Ward 9, upper Stoney Creek) expressed frustration that Hamilton has not been prioritized for vaccines over places seeing lower incidence of the virus. 

"It is frustrating seeing other areas get the vaccines … when we are locked in the grey zone," he said. "The frustration levels (from businesses) are incredibly high. I have received more phone calls, emails (about this) than any other issue."

However, things are looking up for the area when it comes to pharmacy vaccinations. AstraZeneca vaccinations have been available to people aged 60 and above in selected pharmacies in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington; Toronto; and Windsor-Essex County since March 22. 

Richardson said Wednesday that the province has promised to expand the program to at least three pharmacies in Hamilton sometime in the "next week or so." She said the program will be focused on areas with higher rates of racialized people, who have had higher incidence of COVID-19.

So far, 15 per cent of eligible Hamiltonians have received one dose of the vaccine, and 3.5 per cent are fully vaccinated, Richardson said. That number of fully vaccinated people is higher than in some other communities, she said, because Hamilton got access to vaccine supply earlier than some jurisdictions, so gave two doses to a number of people before the province changed its guidance to push the second dose to four months after later.

The city reported on Wednesday that 97,259 vaccine doses had been administered as of the end of Tuesday.

Richardson gave these further updates on who has received their first dose locally:

• Long-term care residents: 100 per cent.
• Retirement home residents: 93 per cent.
• Health-care workers: 55 per cent.
• Adult chronic home care recipients: 4 per cent.
• Shelter residents and staff: 40 per cent.
• Seniors in other congregate settings: 12 per cent.
• People aged 85 and above: 78 per cent.
• People aged 80 to 84: 72 per cent.
• People aged 75 to 79: 49 per cent.

Hamilton is reporting 124 new cases of the virus on Wednesday and three new deaths. That brings the total cases to 12,854 and total deaths to 315. 

There are 816 active cases in Hamilton, a drop of 97 from the previous day.

There are 44 active outbreaks in the city, including new ones at Aldershot Greenhouses in Waterdown, Ancaster Meadow Elementary School, Arrell Youth Centre in Hamilton, Jayne Industries and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School.

Brant

Brant County reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing its total to 1,800. There are currently 86 active cases, an increase of two. There were no new deaths.

One person is hospitalized with COVID-19, a reduction of two since yesterday.

A total of 26,294 vaccinations have been administered and 2,570 people are fully vaccinated.

Haldimand-Norfolk

Haldimand-Norfolk reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing its total to 1,642. There are 87 active cases, an increase of nine from the previous day. 39 people have died from the virus.

A total of 19,517 vaccine doses have been administered, with 1,627 people now fully vaccinated.

Halton

There were 78 new reported COVID-19 cases in Halton Region on Wednesday, bringing the total case count to 10,981. The region has 443 active cases, an increase of 14 since yesterday. There have been 200 deaths.

Halton Region has administered 67,563 doses of vaccine. 

Niagara

Niagara Region reported 68 new COVID-10 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total case count to 9,686. There are 545 active cases, an increase of 22. The region has seen 376 deaths from the virus.

Niagara Public Health has given out 23,343 doses of vaccine, while the hospital system has administered 45,387 doses.