As 2023 begins, Grey Bruce Public Health is officially concluding their COVID-19 vaccine task force, a group responsible for supporting mass vaccination clinics over the past two years.
The health unit says the decision is based on favourable local epidemiology related to COVID-19. The most recent update for local COVID cases in high-risk settings showed 40 case counts and two hospitalizations on Dec. 23.
Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra said the local vaccination rollout was a success that couldn’t have happened without the support of residents, community partners and the task force.
Dr. Arra recommended at a meeting last February that the task force sunset itself, but remain on standby in case an of a surge in COVID-19 transmission over this fall and winter required them to regroup and re-establish mass vaccination clinics.
The task force included representatives from the local business community, Grey and Bruce counties and the agricultural, hospital, congregate care, school, pharmacy, and social services sectors. It also included first responders and representatives from First Nations/Indigenous communities, and faith-based organizations.
The health unit recommends staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines as one of the best ways to protect yourself from severe outcomes from the virus.
COVID-19 vaccines, including bivalent boosters, are available at participating pharmacies and via primary care providers in Grey-Bruce as well as at Grey Bruce Public Health and GO-VAXX vaccine clinics.
Vaccine and clinic information is available at publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.