News

12 - 17 Year Olds Eligible for Accelerated Second Doses & Booking Support Available

Southwestern Public Health is committed to ensuring local youth can be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the beginning of the 2021/22 school year.

Starting Monday July 5, 2021 youth aged 12 – 17 who have received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine, are eligible to receive their second dose of an mRNA vaccine a minimum of 28 days after the first.

This means that pending appointment availability, youth in Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas may rebook for an earlier second...

Students critical to vaccination efforts in SWPH region

Health unit providing unique opportunity for youth to be a part of history

This year has been different in every way. COVID-19 has forced us all to adapt and transform the way we live our lives. The pandemic has changed our world and challenged individuals, businesses and organizations each step of the way. But, the pandemic has also provided many opportunities.

This year, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is providing valuable work experience to dozens of students at the mass immunization clinics...

Southwestern Public Health Accelerating Second Doses for Additional Groups

Starting today, Southwestern Public Health and Middlesex-London Health Unit invite adults aged 18 and older to rebook an earlier second dose if they had their first mRNA dose on or before May 30.

“As of a reflection of regional vaccine supply and our desire to get people vaccinated quickly, we’re opening eligibility for earlier second doses to more people in tandem with our partners at Middlesex-London,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. “This also allows...

Sam's Story

“My family got COVID-19” Breaking the stigma associated with the Coronavirus  

Samantha Fox is not ashamed to say she had COVID-19.

“I am comfortable saying we did have COVID-19, and we did everything right, and it still happened.”

But the Southwestern Public Health manager didn’t always feel that way. Fox admits that when she, her husband and toddler all tested positive for the virus early in the pandemic, she hid it from her coworkers.

“I didn’t tell anyone at work for a while because it felt like...

Region Celebrates 100,000 Residents Vaccinated

Media Release

May 31, 2021

Southwestern Public Health Region Celebrates 100,000 Residents Vaccinated with at Least One Dose

On Friday May 28, the health unit serving Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas met a significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19.

Each day, through a combination of pop-up clinics, family physician and pharmacy vaccinators, and mass immunization clinics, thousands of Oxford County, Elgin County and City of St. Thomas residents are vaccinated against...

SWPH Expanding COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility the Week of May 10

Amid a more steady-stream of vaccine being delivered to the Elgin-St. Thomas and Oxford region, Southwestern Public Health is expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility several times this week to align with Ontario’s rollout timelines.

Eligible Starting May 11
As announced on May 10, Ontario plans to open eligibility to additional groups starting May 11 at 8 a.m. with at-risk health conditions and Group 2 essential workers who cannot work from home.

Southwestern Public Health further defines these groups...