Registered Practical Nurse Danielle O’Grady from Marianhill was one of the first staff to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday at the Pembroke Regional Hospital’s vaccination clinic. Danielle’s shot was administered by Dr. Bruce Strader, Marianhill’s Medical Director.
Exciting news! The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) has announced an expanded list of who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
These priority groups include:
- Retirement Home residents (who will be vaccinated in-home by mobile vaccination
teams). - Retirement Home essential caregivers.
- Residents in the general population who are 80 years of age and older.
- Indigenous residents (on or off reserve) who are 55 years of age and older.
Please note that the availability of vaccination appointments will be based on the number of
vaccine doses that RCD receives each week.
Because of this, people should anticipate that it will take a number of weeks for everyone in the new groupings to be able to book and receive their vaccinations.To facilitate this, an online registration system for vaccination appointments has now been launched. You can access the system through Renfrew County and District Health Unit’s (RCDHU) website at: www.rcdhu.com.
Those individuals who are currently eligible for vaccination can visit RCDHU’s website to register online as this is often quicker.
Individuals are encouraged to ask a family member or friend to assist if they are unable to do so themselves. If a person is unable to register online, they can call RCDHU at 613-735-9724 or 1-800-267-1097 extension 200. Residents are asked to only leave one message with their name and phone number, and someone will return their call as soon as possible.
Those who register for a vaccination appointment will receive an email with a link to book into one of RCD’s upcoming vaccination clinics (located in Pembroke, Deep River, Arnprior, Renfrew and Barry’s Bay) ONLY when openings become available. Those who have registered who do not have email will receive a phone call when openings become available.
Both registration systems will also be available for individuals in groupings such as health care workers who haven’t yet received their vaccine but are already eligible to do so.
Everyone registering for a vaccination appointment will be asked to identify how they are eligible to receive the vaccine. This can include proof of employment such as ID badge, letter from employer, status card, etc.
After those individuals aged 80 years and above and Indigenous adults aged 55 and over have been vaccinated, the next groups for vaccine eligibility will include all Indigenous adults, adults receiving chronic home care and “High Priority” health care workers, which include community care lower risk exposures (mental health, addictions, developmental services), campus health, daycare/school nursing, dietary, opticians, podiatry, audiology, naturopath, social work, and non-acute rehabilitation such as chiropractic, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychiatry, psychology, massage therapy, acupuncture and public health. All eligible individuals noted above will be notified when they are able to register through various media channels.
While information about specific timing for these next groups is not yet known, please be assured communication will be sent out as soon as it is known. We appreciate your patience. For more information about RCD’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration program, please monitor social media, local media outlets, and RCDHU’s website (www.rcdhu.com).
RCDHU’s website also has Frequently Asked Question documents that are regularly being updated about vaccine distribution. Please refrain from calling or emailing hospitals or the clinic sites about vaccine distribution and how to register for an appointment.
People should, however, contact their primary care provider if they have questions about their personal health status before they receive the vaccine. Alternatively, those without a primary care provider can contact the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (VTAC) (1-844-727-6404) to consult with a family physician. VTAC has advised that the best time to reach them is in the afternoon and evening.
