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Newsroom

The Best Vaccine is the One Available to You Right Now

9-4-2021

The North Renfrew Family Health Team (NRFHT) in collaboration with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) and the Arnprior and District Family Health Team (ADFHT), are happy to announce that residents 55 years of age and over can now receive the COVID-19 AstraZeneca Vaccine at one of four clinics across Renfrew County and District (RCD).

Appointments will be available to residents 55 years of age and over at any one of the following clinic locations:

  • Deep River, Chalk River & Area Lions Club, 11 Kellett St., April 16, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Deep River, Chalk River & Area Lions Club, 11 Kellett St., April 20, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Arnprior, Nick Smith Centre, 77 James St., April 15, 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Arnprior, Nick Smith Centre, 77 James St., April 22, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

All appointments will be booked online through the Renfrew County and District COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System at www.rcdhu.com. If an individual needs assistance booking into either of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination clinics in Arnprior, please call the ADFHT at 613-623-3166 ext. 506. If you need assistance booking into either of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Deep River, call the NRFHT at 613-584-3333 ext. 7607.

This news comes as the Ontario Government continues to expand COVID-19 vaccine rollout locations, with the addition of over 350 pharmacies and select primary care settings across the province. There are now approximately 700 pharmacies offering the vaccine, and it is expected that this number could reach approximately 1,500 by the end of April 2021.

“This is exciting news for RCD! Remember, the best vaccine, is the one available to you right now,” states Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU. Despite reports of adverse events following immunization in Europe, to date, no cases of these events have been reported in Canada. “We must remember that the AstraZeneca vaccine is the driver of Britain's highly successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign and that Health Canada says that the benefits of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine continue to outweigh the risks, making it is safe for use in individuals 55 years of age and over,” continues Dr. Cushman.

Vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine at pharmacies also require an appointment to be made in advance. Eligible adults aged 55 and over who are interested in booking an appointment, can visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations to find a participating pharmacy and must contact the pharmacy to make an appointment.

“Although this is great news, please remember that receiving one dose of your vaccine does not provide full protection from the COVID-19 virus. You must continue to adhere to public health measures - stay home if you are sick, avoid contact with people who are ill, practice physical distancing (2 metres), wear a mask/face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and wash your hands,” states Dr. Cushman.

For details specific to vaccination registration and appointments (i.e., what you need to bring), visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment Checklist. Visit the following resources for more information on What you need to know about your COVID-19 vaccine appointment (Ministry of Health) and what to expect After your COVID-19 vaccine (Ministry of Health).

For more information, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions or RCDHU’s website or call 613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097.