City of Hamilton launches campaign encouraging people to get 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose sooner

The City of Hamilton announced Friday (July 16) it’s launching an outreach campaign, encouraging community members over the age of 12 to get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine sooner.

The target of the campaign is to reach 40,000 community members who have their second dose appointments scheduled on Aug. 29, 2021, or later at one of three local large-scale vaccine clinics (FirstOntario Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare West, or the Wellington Street clinic).

“To ensure these community members have strong protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, over the coming weeks, text message and email communications will recommend they get their second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, at the shortened interval of at least 28 days after their first dose,” wrote Hamilton Public Health in a media release.

“Vaccine supply continues to be readily available to meet community demand.”

All large-scale clinics and the ArcelorMittal Dofasco employer-led vaccination clinic will offer walk-ins for second doses
Starting Monday (July 19).

The FirstOntario Centre vaccine clinic began offering second dose walk-ins on July 15.

All three large-scale clinics and the employer-led clinic continue to offer walk-ins for first doses and booked first and second-dose appointments if community members prefer a scheduled time.

Clinic locations can be found at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.

“Increasing the coverage rates of those partly and fully vaccinated will help to make sure Hamilton can move forward through Step Three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen,” said Public Health.

Starting Friday (July 16), the province will remain in Step Three for at least 21 days and until 80 per cent of the eligible population ages 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

75 per cent must have received their second dose, with no public health unit having less than 70 per cent of their eligible population fully vaccinated.

Additional key public health and health care indicators must also continue to remain stable.

Upwards of 74.6 per cent of Hamiltonians over the age of 12 have received a vaccine to date with 54.5 per cent having completed their vaccine series.

Public Health Services recommends that everyone who is eligible for a vaccination receive the first vaccine that is available to them.