Vaccine eligibility to expand, as Windsor-Essex sees 5 new COVID-19 cases: WECHU

As of Saturday morning, more people will be eligible to book a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, theWindsor Essex County Health Unit reported on Friday.

Beginning June 26 at 8 a.m., Windsor-Essex residents who received a first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before June 2, will be eligible to book an appointment for asecond dose at a designated vaccination clinic, pharmacy or primary care provider.

Residents 18 years or older must have at least 28 days between theirfirst and second dose.

On June 29 and 30, between 11 a.m. and noon, youth aged 12 to 17can book an appointment to receive theirfirst dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at one of three mass vaccination clinics in the region:

• WFCU Centre at 8787 McHugh Street, Windsor.
• Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre at249 Sherk Street, Leamington.
• Libro Credit Union Centre at3295 Meloche Road, Amherstburg.

Timeslotsare by appointment only and no walk-ins will be allowed. The health unit said they encourage those under 16 tobe accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Appointments can be booked through theonline booking systemor by calling226-773-2200.

5 new cases reported

The health unit reported five new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and no new deaths.

Aworkplace has been declared as under outbreak in the manufacturing sector located in Lakeshore. It has preliminarily beenidentified as a variant of concern.

Windsor-Essex has 56 active cases 12 of these cases are connected to variants of concern.

Seven people are currentlyin hospital, includingfive people who are in the intensive care unit.

Vaccination rates

According to the health unit, more than 30 per cent of the Windsor-Essex population has been fully vaccinated with 132,299 residents having receivedboth doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Roughly 271,047 Windsor-Essex residents have received at least one vaccine dose. A total of 403,306 doses have been administered in the region.

To find out your eligibility for a first or second dose or to book an appointment through the health unit,visit wevax.ca.