Waterloo region ramps up vaccine distribution as it nears Phase 1 completion

Region of Waterloo Public Health is set to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination distribution as it nears completion of Phase 1 of its rollout plan.

A full roster of officials involved in the region's vaccination effort presented at a board of health meeting on Wednesday. They provided a comprehensive update of the rollout plan including a breakdown of dose estimates, vaccination timeline and communication initiatives.

Officials said they've vaccinated all applicable people living in long-term care and retirement settings, except for a small number of staff and essential caregivers. They've vaccinated seniors living in congregate settings and the remaining settings are set to go in Phase 2.

Vaccinations for high priority health-care workers and medical first responders are nearing completion and chronic home care immunizations are set to be completed by the end of the month.

Officials said people experiencing homelessness will be vaccinated in the coming days.

The remaining seniors who are above 80 years old and have signed up for pre-registration will be immunized by the end of March.

The region also provided a tentative timeline for Phase 2, heading into Phase 3. For example, people with specific health conditions and their caregivers will start getting immunized in April. Seniors will continue getting vaccinated and those between 60 and 65 years old will start getting immunized in May.

Dose estimates 

Up until this week, regional officials could only plan vaccine distribution two weeks out, but now officials said the region is receiving a steady amount of vaccine and is planning at least four weeks out.

Officials provided a projected estimate of doses administered in the coming weeks across several regional clinics. For example, this week, the region plans to administer 3,636 doses of vaccine at its Boardwalk clinic. Projections suggest that number will be 8,400 doses a week by the week of April 12.

"What we're focused on now is ramp up. We're moving from scarcity of vaccine supply as experienced between December and March to where we're beginning to see more stable and increased supply of vaccine. We have entered the ramp up phase," said Waterloo regional police deputy chief Shirley Hilton, who leads the region's vaccine distribution task force.

Bruce Lauckner, the region's chief administrative officer, addressed social media posts that compared the region's plan to other public health units in Ontario.

He said it's important to understand each region's plan is based on several factors including the number of long-term care homes, physicians and health care clinicians, as well as different vulnerable populations and type of vaccine available.

"When we look at vaccine rollout provincially, it's almost impossible to compare one community or region to another. It's apples to oranges. Each community needs a tailored plan that works for their own municipality," said Lauckner.

More vaccine on the way

The region received its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine last Friday. Officials said the region plans to launch a pilot as early as next week with smaller primary care practices to administer some of those shots.

In April, the region plans to receive its first shipment of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine.

The region has committed to providing a COVID-19 vaccine to every one who wants one in the region by the end of June.

Pre-registration

So far, more than 19,000 residents over 80 years old have pre-registered for vaccine appointments and nearly 14,000 have already booked an appointment.

The region's call centre receives about 5,000 calls per day and has had to add an additional 100 staff members to help with the demand.

Officials are reminding people that it could take staff up to four to six weeks to get back to those who pre-registered.

Engaging with local communities

The region has engaged with multiple communities including Indigenous, African, Caribbean, Black, Mennonite and Muslim communities to help provide tailored services.

Officials said they've heard several concerns including language and transportation barriers. To help deal with this, officials have added Google translate on the region's website and 5,000 two-way bus passes to help people get to their appointments. Officials are also working to provide culturally safe and accessible clinics.