Over 154 COVID-19 vaccination clinics operated successfully due to network of collaborative efforts

Port Hope, ON (April 27, 2023) - The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) continues to thank and acknowledge the collaboration and effort that occurred between the countless volunteers, organizations, and partners during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the HKPR District Health Unit relied on its partnerships with hospitals, first responders, community organizations, municipal partners, and volunteers who provided support during the response efforts. In particular, the coordinated approach saw 154 COVID-19 vaccination clinic locations effectively set up across the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and Northumberland County.

"Collaboration throughout the health-care system has been the key to ensuring our community’s needs have been met during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kelly Isfan, President and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital. “Ross Memorial feels very fortunate to have such an active and supportive relationship with the HKPR District Health Unit, and other community partners that has resulted in innovative health-care delivery solutions like drive-thru and mobile vaccination clinics, along with thousands of PCR tests and clinical assessments being conducted. The local response to COVID-19 has been a true team effort." 

Over the next couple of weeks representatives from the HKPR District Health Unit will be travelling to several communities, presenting commemorative plaques to thank all of those involved for their efforts in the fight against COVID-19. Those efforts include the organization and operation of assessment centres, mass immunization and drive-thru clinics, communication and public health information dissemination including vaccine certification, rapid testing and more.

“I want to express my gratitude to those who provided essential supports to HKPR residents during the pandemic and beyond,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for the HKPR District Health Unit. “The impressive support of community partners helped us design and deploy a response tailored towards the communities needs. Moving forward we plan to grow these respected partnerships to continue to build upon the future of public health programs and services for residents.”

All HKPR District Health Unit led COVID-19 vaccination clinics are now available on a walk-in basis or by appointment by visiting the online Provincial Booking System at www.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or calling 1-833-943-3900. For more information regarding local vaccine availability and eligibility visit hkpr.on.ca/COVID-19.

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For media inquiries contact:

Ashley Beaulac, Manager of Communication Services, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1212, abeaulac@hkpr.on.ca or Amanda Bray, Communications Officer, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1266, abray@hkpr.on.ca