Vaccination capacity opening up next week

The Region of Waterloo says it will continue to expand capacity at vaccination clinics by opening up appointments at various pop-up clinics over the next few weeks, including a pending announcement about “the biggest component of its plan to ramp up the administration of vaccines” coming next week.

In a Friday press release, the region says that with more vaccine arriving from the province to assist with the surge in COVID-19 infections with the Delta variant, the Region is rapidly ramping up vaccine distribution.

As of June 30, 551,093 doses of vaccine have been administered in Waterloo Region.

Ramping up is already underway to provide residents with more opportunities to get their first and second doses of vaccine:

• Vaccination clinics have increased capacity, including extending hours.
• Two mobile teams from the Province are helping to administer vaccines at clinics located in local schools that are open to everyone 18+.
• On Sunday, July 4, Waterloo Region’s first drive-thru clinic is taking place at Bingemans in Kitchener.
• The Cambridge Pinebush vaccination clinic, the largest vaccination clinic in Waterloo Region, has continued to increase capacity by adding more appointments to the daily schedule, including a recent Friday late-night clinic that ran until midnight.
• All public vaccination clinics accept walk-ins for first doses.
• Residents can book an earlier second dose as early as 28 days after their first dose.
• The Region is working with community partners to bring mobile and pop-up clinics to priority groups and neighbourhoods so everyone has access to a second dose at an earlier interval.
• The Region continues to provide vaccines for family doctors to give first and second doses to patients. We have also been adding to the vaccine supply pharmacies receive from the Province in another effort to accelerate the distribution of doses.