Appointments no longer needed at London-area vaccination clinics

No appointment, no problem.

The Middlesex London Health Unit announced on Monday that it will now be accepting walk-ins at all of its COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Appointments had been required to get the shot at the Western Fair District Agriplex and Caradoc Community Centre, while Earl Nichols Arena began taking walk-ins just over a week ago.

In addition to the mass vaccination clinics, walk-ins are also being accepted at pop-up school based vaccination clinics. There are currently ten scheduled at various London schools between now and the end of February. The first clinic is being held at Wilfrid Jury Public School from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

The switch to welcome walk-ins at all of its vaccination clinics comes as the health unit looks to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for people to get the shot.

“More than 83 per cent of London and Middlesex County residents over the age of 5 have received at least two doses of vaccine, but we know there are others who aren’t yet fully protected. So we’re doing our best to make it easy for those folks to get their vaccine as soon as they are eligible, whether it’s a first, second, or booster dose,” said Dr. Alex Summers, the region’s acting medical officer of health. “One of our key goals is to have more parents make the choice to have their youngsters under the age of 12 get vaccinated; it simply is the best way to protect anyone from COVID-19.”

The health unit noted that 96.5 per cent of area teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 have received their first dose, but just 56.1 per cent of those aged 5 to 12 have had a single shot.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being offered at all London-area clinics.

People who still wish to make an appointment instead of just walking in for their first, second or booster shot can do so online at www.covidvaccinelm.ca.

A full list of vaccination clinics across the region can be found by clicking here.

Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com