April 9th Update
Hi there,
Vaccine Update
This week, we moved into Phase 2 of the vaccine roll-out. This means that a number of new groups will be eligible for vaccines. While I recognize that the new stay-at-home order and the efficiency of the vaccine roll-out have been frustrating for many, let’s hang in there!
Here are the current updates:
All Ottawa residents 60 years old and older are now able to book an appointment on the online provincial booking portal. These appointments will be offered for one of the four community vaccination clinics: Nepean Sportsplex, Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, Eva James Memorial Community Centre, or Ottawa City Hall.
For Ottawa residents 55 years old and older, the vaccine is offered in thirty-four (34) pharmacies. To book an appointment, residents are asked to contact participating pharmacies directly. There are currently three participating pharmacies in Ottawa-Vanier:
- Shoppers Drug Mart - 322 Rideau Street, K1N 5Y5 – (613) 789-9700 – Book online at https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en
- Costco Pharmacy - 1405 Blair Towers Place, K1J 1A5 – (613) 691-7607 – Book online at https://b.telehippo.com/o/w01362
- Wal-Mart Pharmacy - 1980 Ogilvie Road Unit 171, K1J 9L3 – (613) 842-0111 – Book online at https://portal.healthmyself.net/walmarton/forms/Dpd
While I welcomed the news that Ottawa pharmacies would carry vaccines, I was extremely disappointed that much of Ottawa-Vanier remains underserved. Neighbourhoods like Vanier and Overbrook have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, but vaccine appointments are inaccessible for many residents in these areas. I have urged the government to provide more support through pharmacies or hot spot community clinics. You can read my letter to the Minister of Health on this matter here.
Roundtable on Family Doctors
Your family doctor can be a trusted health adviser who provides continuing care. They play an important role in your physical, emotional, and mental health, so it's important that everyone have access to a family doctor that they can rely on. Unfortunately, not everyone does and this shortage needs to be addressed.
I will soon be hosting a roundtable with Dr. Alykhan Abdulla and Dr. Alain-Rémi Lajeunesse to discuss this critical issue. Details to follow so stay tuned!
Ramadan Mubarak!
Ahead of next week, I would like to send my best wishes to those observing Ramadan. May this Ramadan bring joy, peace and health to you and your family.
Take care,
Lucille