Good evening Kanata North,
Over the last seven days, Ottawa Public Health reported 68 new COVID-19 cases in our community. This is an increase from the numbers we have seen over the past weeks and evidence of the virus and its transmissible variants spreading.
To date, 84% of all Ottawa residents ages 12+ have at least a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 74% of that age demographic are fully vaccinated. To effectively fight the virus, we need these numbers to be higher. Evidence shows that fewer people are getting vaccinated now than before. Only 88% of our vaccine inventory is being administered, which is a clear decline from months ago.
Vaccines are readily available in Ottawa. With back-to-school quickly approaching, it’s important to ensure that you and your eligible children are vaccinated before the semester. Having both a first and second dose is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community against COVID-19.
COVID-19 and back-to-school: what we know so far
The province just shared its back-to-school plan for the 2021-2022 school year. You can learn more about that here.
As of yet, children under the age of 12 are not eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. I will share updates as they become available.
Post-secondary schools
Some post-secondary institutions have made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory:
Ontario campuses that require all students living in residence to be fully vaccinated:
- University of Ottawa
- Carleton University
- University of Toronto
- Western University
- University of Waterloo (all students must be fully vaccinated by Monday, November 1)
- University of Guelph
- Wilfred Laurier University
- McMaster University
Ontario campuses that require all on-campus students to be fully vaccinated:
- Seneca College (all students must be fully vaccinated by Tuesday, September 7)
- Confederation College
Ontario campuses that require all athletes to be fully vaccinated:
- University of Ottawa (all Ottawa Gee-Gees student athletes must be fully vaccinated by Friday, October 1)
- Carleton University
- University of Toronto (any student who wants to participate in varsity sports must be vaccinated)
What are the rules for international students?
- Incoming students who have already been vaccinated in their home countries might require re-vaccination. Check with your host institution about which vaccines are approved and accepted.
- Outgoing students will need to check vaccine requirements with their host institution. It is highly recommended you get vaccinated before you leave.
COVID-19 and the Canada-US Border
Fully vaccinated Americans can now enter Canada and skip the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Only American citizens and permanent residents residing in and travelling from the United States will be permitted to cross the border, and they must have received all required doses of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine 14 days prior to entering Canada. They must also provide a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before entering the country.
The consolidation of COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Late in July, the city reduced its number of operating clinics. Here’s the list of COVID-19 vaccination clinics operating in Ottawa:
- Eva James Memorial Community Centre – 65 Stonehaven Drive
- Nepean Sportsplex – 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
- Ottawa City Hall – 110 Laurier Avenue West
- Queensway Carleton Hospital – 3045 Baseline Rd
- Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA – 265 Centrum Boulevard
Ways you can expedite your appointment
The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you can protect yourself, loved ones, and our community. Here are ways you can expedite your appointment:
Drop in
You don’t even need an appointment to visit a community clinic in Ottawa for a first or second dose. Please note, there must be a location near you.
Wait list
Register for the daily wait list to receive a text or email alert about last minute appointments near you.
Rebook through the provincial booking system.
The provincial system is probably how you booked your appointment in the first place. Now, wait times between doses are shorter and availability of appointments has never been greater. Return to the booking tool and you can easily find an earlier appointment, and maybe even a better location.
Pop-up clinics
There are temporary pop-up clinics all over town, particularly in priority neighbourhoods.
Pharmacies
Many local pharmacies are still taking appointments, and many of those also offer drop-ins.
Don’t delay. Please move up the date of your vaccine appointment today.
With back–to–school just around the corner, please ensure all eligible members of your household are vaccinated. Cases have slowly been rising throughout the province. We must all protect ourselves, our community, and our local businesses against COVID-19.
Going forward, I am planning to share COVID-19 updates as part of my monthly newsletter, unless more frequent updates are required.
Please reach out should you have any questions or concerns.
Take care,
Jenna Sudds