Vaccinated on or earlier than April 18th? You are actually entitled to a second dose in Windsor-Essex

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has extended eligibility for second COVID-19 vaccinations to a larger group of residents.

Starting Wednesday morning, anyone vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before April 18 can book an appointment for their last dose.

Previously, those vaccinated by March 31 – along with several other groups – were entitled to a second vaccination at a mass vaccination clinic in Windsor-Essex along with anyone over the age of 70.

Anyone who received a syringe from AstraZeneca 12 weeks or more ago is also entitled to a second syringe at a participating pharmacy or general practitioner. You can also book an appointment for a second shot of Pfizer or Moderna.

The eligibility upgrade went into effect the same day the health unit announced that the region had set what is believed to be a record breaking day for the vaccine to roll out.

On Tuesday, 6,675 doses were given in a single day, said Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer for health, at the health unit briefing on Wednesday, calling it likely the highest total number ever.

Ahmed said that about 80 percent of the doses given were second shots over the past two days.

‘Please be nice’

Ahmed also reflected on tragic events beyond the pandemic: the discovery of the remains of an estimated 215 children in a boarding school in British Columbia and the murder of four family members in London, Ontario, which police say was an act of anti-hatred by Muslims.

Dr. Windsor-Essex health doctor Wajid Ahmed encouraged people to reject hate and support one another after four members of a Muslim family were killed in London, Ontario in what police said was an act of hatred. 1:47

He pointed to how the community came together during the pandemic and encouraged people to support one another in difficult circumstances.

“Let’s not hate anyone. Let’s stop a second and show respect and honor to those who have lost their lives, and please be kind to one another and face all challenges.”

13 new cases

The health department announced 13 new cases of COVID-19 as well as the death of a man aged 60 on Wednesday.

It is the fourth death reported in Windsor-Essex this week. The local pandemic claimed a total of 432 lives.

There are 147 active COVID-19 cases in the region, up from nearly 300 two weeks ago, and 16 people are hospitalized.

As of Wednesday, 71.9 percent of adults had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 15.5 percent had received both required doses.

Seven outbreaks are ongoing, including one at the Southwest Detention Center, which has been active since late April.

The rest of the outbreaks occur in workplaces:

• Three in the Windsor Health and Welfare Sector.
• Two in Tecumseh’s manufacturing sector.
• One in the food and beverage sector in Windsor.

Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton

On Wednesday, Chatham-Kent Public Health reported a new case of COVID-19 and a total of 14 active cases.

There are 31 active cases in Sarnia-Lambton. Six new cases were reported on Wednesday.