Targeted Vaccination Clinics Begin Monday for Residents 80 Years and Older

These clinics are by appointment only and pre-registration is required.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) will begin administering the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to residents of Windsor and Essex County 80 years of age and older beginning Monday, March 1 through targeted vaccination clinics. The WECHU is continuing to vaccinate the priority population in Phase 1 of the three-phased vaccine distribution plan by the Government of Ontario and supported by the Windsor Essex County Vaccine Prioritization Committee. This COVID-19 vaccination milestone is occurring because of the continued partnership with Windsor Regional Hospital administering vaccine at the St. Clair College Sportsplex.

The first targeted vaccination clinic will take place at the Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) Centre at 8787 McHugh Street in the City of Windsor. It is by appointment only and drop-ins are not permitted. On March 1st, the clinic will start at 10 a.m. with the last appointment occurring at 3:45 p.m. The clinic will then operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, beginning again the following Monday at 9 a.m., pending vaccine supply.

Residents 80 years of age and older from outside the City of Windsor and surrounding municipalities will be able to attend an additional targeted vaccination clinic beginning Monday, March 8th in the Municipality of Leamington at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre. More details about the Leamington targeted COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be provided in the near future and when they can pre-register.

The WECHU is cautioning residents that this is not a “first come, first served” system. Once information is provided in the pre-registration form, individuals will be randomly selected and then contacted to book their appointments. This is being done to ensure fair and equitable access to appointment times.

The pre-registration form is now available online and can also be accessed from wechu.org. Family and friends of adults 80 years of age and older are encouraged to support their loved one(s) in pre-registering for an appointment. For those unable to access the online system, help is available by contacting the WECHU’s pre-registration hotline at 519-251-4072. Due to expected call volumes initially, it may take multiple attempts to speak with a Windsor-Essex County Health Unit representative.

For patients 80 years of age or older currently admitted at a Windsor and Essex County hospital, they will be evaluated by their most responsible physician (MRP) to determine if they can clinically and safely tolerate the COVID-19 vaccine. The hospital will then attempt to administer the vaccine, if possible, in a safe manner. The second dose may have to be arranged and administered outside of the hospital in the community.

As targeted COVID-19 vaccination clinics start being administered in the community, we still need to practice public health measures to help prevent further spread of COVID-19 in our community:

1. Maintain a 2 metre distance from others.
2. Limit your contacts to your household only.
3. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
5. Use a medical or non-medical mask (e.g, cloth) in public settings.
6. Cover mouth & nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
7. Stay home and do not go to work or school if you are sick.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's webpage - click here.