The first COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Hawkesbury was held on Friday, March 12 at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.

COVID-19 vaccinations are provided by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) and the Town of Hawkesbury is providing the complex space.

Vaccinations were being given in the multi sports room on the fully accessible main level of the facility.

Currently, COVID-19 vaccination appointments in Ontario are only available, by invitation only, to people aged 80 or greater who receive home care, health care workers, or authorized caregivers and visitors to residents of long-term care and retirement residences.

Eligible residents are being notified by phone with instructions on how to make an appointment online or by phone.  People who show up at a vaccination centre without an appointment will not be vaccinated.

“They all have appointments,” said EOHU Program Manager Nikolas Hotte about the several people who were lined up awaiting their vaccination outside the main entrance of the complex on Friday afternoon.

However, Hotte did say some people without appointments had been turned away earlier in the day.

Hotte said that the vaccination program is being conducted according to provincial directives regarding who is eligible.

All other individuals aged 80 or greater will be able to begin making vaccination appointments beginning on Monday, March 15.

The next COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Hawkesbury will take place on Saturday, March 20 at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic that had been scheduled for March 21 in Hawkesbury has been cancelled.

For further information on COVID-19 vaccination for residents of the EOHU’s jurisdiction, or for all residents of Ontario, go to the EOHU vaccination website https://eohu.ca/en/covid/scheduling-covid-19-vaccine-appointments-for-eligible-individuals or the Ontario Ministry of Health website https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario

EOHU Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis and Hawkesbury Mayor Paula Assaly at the COVID-19 vaccination clinic held at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex on March 12. Photo: Town of Hawkesbury