Today, Niagara Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre in St. Catharines
surpassed 100,000 vaccine doses administered since opening earlier this year.
“Each vaccination brings us one step closer to ending this pandemic, so hitting 100,000 vaccinations is a significant milestone,” said Lynn Guerriero, Niagara Health President and Interim CEO. “Many people have worked hard to contribute to the success of our clinic and it has become a very special place in the community. It’s so moving to read the thousands of personal messages written on sticky notes by people who live and work in Niagara about what getting vaccinated means to them in the fight against COVID-19.”
Niagara Health opened the first mass immunization clinic in Niagara. Approximately 75 people work at the clinic daily including staff and physicians from Niagara Health, community physicians and others. Based on vaccine supply, we can continue to vaccinate approximately 1,650 people per day. Today’s announcement of 100,000 doses administered at our clinic is in addition to the vaccination efforts of Niagara Region Public Health clinics, local pharmacies and primary healthcare providers. Based on the latest data from Niagara Region, 197,906 total vaccine doses have been administered and more than 38 per cent of the population in Niagara has received their first dose.
“I’m so glad that I’m one step closer to being able to hug my friends and family again,” said MaryAnn Ratcliffe, the patient who received the 100,000th dose. “I wasn’t expecting to be the 100,000th person when I arrived today, but I was excited to be part of the celebration and I cannot thank all of the frontline healthcare workers and staff enough for all they do.”
Our vaccination efforts follow provincial prioritization guidelines. Since opening, we’ve vaccinated frontline healthcare workers, emergency responders, complex care patients in hospital, individuals with high-risk health conditions, Niagara residents 50 years of age and older, frontline education workers, farm workers in Niagara, border inspection officers and other priority groups. As the province moves through its phase 2 vaccination schedule, additional groups will be eligible to book vaccination appointments over the next several weeks.
For more information about Niagara Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Seymour-Hannah arena in St. Catharines, including eligibility and how to book a vaccine appointment, visit https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/vaccination-clinic.
