Health Unit Now Offering Walk-In Times to Everyone Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccines
Walk-ins for getting COVID-19 vaccines are now open to anyone age five years and older who is eligible for a first, second or booster dose.
Effective immediately, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is providing walk-in times from 1-4:30 pm at any of its Mass Immunization Clinics in Cobourg, Lindsay, Colborne, Minden, Fenelon Falls, Brighton and Campbellford for everyone age 5+ who is now eligible for vaccines. For those who still prefer a set time for a vaccine, appointments can continue to be made on the provincial booking system or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).
The decision to expand walk-ins to anyone eligible for a vaccine comes just over a week after the Health Unit had announced people age 50+ and immunocompromised individuals could walk into its vaccination clinics to be immunized.
“This is a natural progression to make COVID-19 vaccines more available and accessible to people in Northumberland County, Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes,” says Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health with the HKPR District Health Unit. “We know vaccines, especially booster doses, provide excellent protection against COVID-19 and reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization. That is why we encourage anyone still waiting for a dose to walk in, or make an appointment, to get their shot.”
As more local residents get vaccinated, the Health Unit finds that it has spaces at its clinics to accommodate more walk-in traffic. Making access to vaccine as easy as possible may also encourage more people to roll up their sleeves, Dr. Bocking adds.
