The initiative aims to increase access to COVID-19 booster shots within the Guelph community
As of Jan. 4, the University of Guelph’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic has reopened on campus.
The clinic, which had previously operated out of the University Centre in 2021, will now be based out of the Mitchell Gym in the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre.
A joint effort between the U of G, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health, and the Guelph Family Health Team, the clinic is part of a broader campaign to encourage vaccination within the Guelph community and to increase the public’s access to third doses, which are being used to combat the surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant.
However, while the clinic will primarily focus on administering boosters, first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will also be available.
For the remainder of this week, it will be operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, starting Jan. 10, the clinic will begin holding regular hours between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. every weekday on an appointment-only basis.
Those looking to book an appointment can do so directly through the WDG Public Health online booking portal.
According to a U of G news release, the goal is to administer 1,000 doses per day in the early stages of the clinic’s operations. If all goes as planned, this number will then be increased to 2,000 doses per day in the ensuing weeks.
Fortunately, the highly successful 2021 clinic provides a blueprint for this new initiative to build on. With the help of nearly 380 volunteers, last year’s clinic administered about 82,000 of the total 375,000 doses given out across the WDG health unit between March and August of 2021. Clinic organizers are hopeful that they can replicate this success in 2022.
Members of the public are encouraged by healthcare officials to consider registering for a vaccination appointment in order to help preserve the health of the Guelph community.
More information on the appointment booking process, as well as directions to the clinic, can be found on the U of G’s vaccination web page.
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