City of Ottawa closing some COVID-19 vaccine, testing clinics as demand slows
Some COVID-19 vaccination clinics and at least one testing site will be closing this week as demand for vaccines slows down and COVID-19 case counts remain low.
In a public service announcement, the City of Ottawa said that five mass vaccination clinics would remain open in Ottawa as of Wednesday.
"Most Ottawa residents have now been vaccinated against COVID-19 – 83 per cent of residents over 18 years old have received their first dose, and 67 per cent are fully vaccinated with a second dose. Thousands more are booked to receive their vaccinations before August 15," the City of Ottawa said.
The five clinics that will continue to operate as of Wednesday are as follows:
- Eva James Memorial Community Centre - 65 Stonehaven Dr.
- Nepean Sportsplex - 1701 Woodroffe Ave.
- Ottawa City Hall - 110 Laurier Ave. W.
- Queensway Carleton Hospital - 3045 Baseline Rd.
- Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA - 265 Centrum Blvd.
The clinics at the St. Laurent Complex, the Canadian Tire Centre, the University of Ottawa Minto Sports Complex, the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park, and the Canterbury Recreation Complex will close.
"Anyone with a future appointment at a previously available community clinic is encouraged to rebook now for an earlier date at the most convenient location. Efforts are also underway to reach out directly to these individuals," the city said.
You can rebook any appointments that you may have scheduled at other sites by visiting Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine portal or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
The city has been offering vaccines to drop-in clients at select community clinics, based on availability, including at some of the clinics listed above. To receive a first dose, you must be at least 12 years old, and to receive a second dose, it must be at least 28 days since your first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna) or eight weeks since a first dose of AstraZeneca. The city releases the clinics with drop-in availability and the number of appointments each day on its social media channels.
"Consolidating the number of community clinics now makes sense from a demand perspective and will allow staff and our partners to focus on other service delivery priorities. We will, however, remain vigilant and retain our ability to quickly adjust the number of community clinics, as required," said a joint memo from Emergency and Protective Services General Manager Anthony Di Monte and Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brent Moloughney.
Pop-up testing site in Vanier closing Thursday
The pop-up COVID-19 testing centre at the Vanier Community Centre will also be closing this week.
The Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce said in a release Tuesday that COVID-19 testing would no longer be available at the community centre after 4 p.m. Thursday.
"Vanier residents will continue to have access to local COVID-19 testing through Ottawa’s Community Health Centres (CHCs). The Centretown, Somerset West and Sandy Hill CHCs are all located in the downtown core and provide social supports and COVID-19 testing to local residents and underserved communities," the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce said.
Di Monte recently commented on the eventual closure of some clinics as COVID-19 case counts remain low, the pace of vaccination slows, and demand for testing decreases, adding staff would be redeployed back to their regular duties.
The testing clinic at the Vanier Community Centre has been in operations since December 2020, the task force said. Members of Ottawa Public Health and the Montfort Hospital staffed it.
"As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce and its partners will monitor testing demand across Ottawa and in key neighbourhoods and will ramp up services as required," the task force said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.