News

Same Day Vaccination List Launches

Media Release

May 7, 2021

Southwestern Public Health Launches “Same Day” Vaccination List

To ensure no COVID-19 vaccine doses are wasted, local public health unit opens list for same day appointments.

Today, Southwestern Public Health launched a Same Day Vaccination List to gather names of individuals eligible for the vaccine who can get themselves to a clinic quickly when doses are available.

“We know this vaccine is a precious resource and we aim to never waste a dose. Occasionally we have appointment...

SWPH Helps Seniors Book Vaccine Appointments

HELP LIST: Helping Seniors Book Vaccine Appointments

Southwestern Public Health is helping those 60+ to book their COVID-19 vaccine.

Armed with the knowledge that older adults are most susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection and its complications, the health unit wants to ensure that the online booking system and the busy phone lines aren’t a deterrent to seniors getting their shot.

“Seniors, and their family members, have told us that booking online is challenging and that the phone lines were...

SWPH Administers First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine in Elgin-St. Thomas & Oxford Regions

It was an emotional morning for the Southwestern Public Health region with first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered at the newly opened Mass Immunization Clinics in St. Thomas and Woodstock.

Rodney resident, Frank Gratton, and Innerkip resident, Marion Gillespie, were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Elgin-St. Thomas and Oxford, respectively. Each expressed tremendous hope for a brighter future ahead.

“I am most looking forward to getting back to normal. I firmly believe vaccine...

SWPH Confirms First Block of Appointments for Ages 80+ Booked on First Day

Limited appointments still available for Indigenous 55+ and eligible health care workers

Southwestern Public Heath wants the community to know that while the first block of appointments for those aged 80 and over have been booked for the week of March 15, it is expected 5,000 new appointments will be available to eligible individuals for the week of March 22.

“As expected, there was a tremendous response to the announcement that appointments were available in St. Thomas and in Woodstock. For...

Southwestern Public Health issues cold weather alert March 1

March 1, 2021 at 11:30 AM

Cold temperatures expected to begin in the afternoon on March 1 and continuing into the morning on March 2.

Southwestern Public Health issues cold weather alerts when Environment Canada forecasts an air temperature below -15˚C or a wind chill below -20˚C.

Environment Canada is forecasting cold temperatures throughout SWPH region beginning this afternoon with an overnight low temperature of -12˚C and a windchill of -20˚C. These cold temperatures are expected to continue into...

SWPH Completes First Dose Vaccinations in High-Risk Retirement Home Residents

Southwestern Public Health has achieved another milestone in Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy. On January 29, the health unit completed all first dose vaccinations for eligible residents in high-risk retirement homes across the region.

More than 170 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were administered over three days with the support of staff and administration from the high-risk retirement homes and by the Southwestern Public Health COVID-19 Immunization Task Force.

The Ministry of Health...