Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will receive its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on January 4, 2021. Public Health will begin limited vaccinations on January 4 with the full vaccination program launching the following day (January 5). Because of the transportation and storage requirements of the Pfizer vaccine, vaccinations will be completed at the WDG Public Health office in Guelph at this time. As other vaccines become available, or the Pfizer vaccine is able to be moved, the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available at other locations.
“This is a major moment for our region,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health and CEO. “I know all of us have been anxiously waiting for this news and I am pleased to be able to share it with you. Receiving our first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine marks the beginning of the final phase of this pandemic, as we move toward providing a vaccine for everyone who wants it.”
Vaccinations will begin with staff at Long Term Care and Retirement Homes, in addition to essential caregivers in both settings before moving on to other high-risk healthcare providers as more vaccine stock arrives in the region.
“This is wonderful news,” said Dr. Mercer. “But this is the time for patience. It will take several months before the vaccine is available to all of us who want it. In the meantime, we must all continue to follow the public health measures we know will keep everyone safe: gathering with only those you live with, wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distancing of six feet and practicing good hand hygiene. We want to make sure everyone gets safely to the end of this pandemic together.”
WDG Public Health is the first public health unit in Ontario approved for storage and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Information for the Public page.
Media Contact
Danny Williamson
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
1-800-265-7293 ext. 4376