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 COVID-19. Last week, the public health agency reached (and surpassed) a significant milestone – 100,000 residents with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This figure represents nearly 48% of the total population of 211,000.  

“We have an enormous amount of work ahead of us, but the significant work already accomplished has resulted in 100,000 residents with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in their arm. Most encouragingly, we see the resulting reduction in COVID-19 infections in the age cohorts with the highest levels of vaccination,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health for the region.

The Southwestern Public Health COVID-19 Immunization Task Force has followed the provincial government’s vaccination roll out strategy as supply has allowed. To date, 77% of the 80+ age group, 87% of the 70+ age group and 81% of the 60+ age group have had at least one dose.

“I am extremely grateful for the collaboration I see across this region. Public health shares a vision with local municipalities, primary care providers, community health centres, pharmacies, emergency medical services and others of a community that is safer and healthier due to the gift of vaccination,” says Jaime Fletcher, Program Manager overseeing the Task Force.

Media Contact:

Megan Cornwell                                        
Communications | Southwestern Public Health
519-320-0819
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca