KFL&A Public Health Unveils COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy

Kingston, ON – KFL&A Public Health is thrilled to confirm the INVISTA Centre’s MNP Rink in Kingston and the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee as the locations for mass immunization clinics when adequate vaccine supply is available in our region.

With multiple stakeholders and partners working together, immunizations will proceed using several clinic approaches that will help to meet Ontario’s three-phased COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. In this plan, the province has set the order in which each priority population is vaccinated. In phase 1, the following groups are the immediate priority for first-dose vaccination.
• Residents, staff, and essential caregivers of long-term care, high-risk retirement homes, and First Nations elder care homes, and any residents of these settings that have not yet received a first dose of vaccine.
• Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors.
• Highest priority health care workers followed by very high priority health care workers in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on health care worker prioritization.
• Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities.

The immediate priority groups are followed by the next priority groups for first-dose vaccination.
• Adults 80 years of age and older.
• Residents, staff, and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors.
• Health care workers in the high priority level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on health care workers prioritization.
• Adults in First Nations, Metis, and Inuit populations.
• Adult chronic home care recipients.

As vaccine supply increases (dependent on the province’s allocation of vaccine), the type of clinic, as well as clinic coordination, will shift to ensure efficient and sustained vaccination across the region.

Hospital-based clinics coordinated by Kingston Health Sciences Centre and on-site mobile clinics arranged with long-term care and high-risk retirement homes have been effective over the past few weeks in vaccinating our highest risk populations and those who care for them. These types of clinics will continue as needed to meet the needs of immediate priority populations in phase 1.

“We are especially pleased to confirm the sites for mass immunization clinics which will safely accommodate larger priority groups such as the general public in phase 3 and allow us to administer up to 3000 immunizations per day,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “We are looking forward to having these sites operational before vaccine supply ramps up in our area.”

In addition, on-site vaccine clinics for specific targeted populations and for individuals in rural communities will be coordinated by Kingston Community Health Centre and Family Health Teams in Addington Highlands, and North and Central Frontenac. As well clinics through alternate delivery methods with primary care offices and pharmacies will be accessible for individuals when vaccine supply includes refrigerator stable vaccines.

Overtime, everyone living in KFL&A will have access to free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with Ontario’s vaccination distribution plan. Ontario will launch an appointment system in March 2021 to allow the public to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments online or by telephone. Currently, this appointment booking system is not available, and there is no waiting list for appointments. We will inform residents in the KFL&A region when Ontario launches their appointment booking system, please do not contact any of the clinic sites, your health care provider, or KFL&A Public Health for information on booking COVID-19 vaccinations.

“The INVISTA Centre has been an integral part of keeping Kingston and area residents healthy and connected for over 10 years,” says Bryan Paterson, Mayor of Kingston. “We are proud to host the community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic here and see it as an important step in the community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Located centrally with access to ample free parking and on a dedicated Kingston Transit bus route, clients by appointment-only will enter INVISTA Centre by a separate, well-marked entrance directly across from the south parking lot. Large signage will direct people to the MNP Rink and vaccine clinic, which will be to the left of the south entrance.

For the duration of the vaccine clinic, the INVISTA Centre will continue to provide municipal services to residents, including access to the health and fitness centre, three NHL-size ice surfaces and hockey pro shop.

“The Town of Greater Napanee is pleased to be working with our partners at KFL&A Public Health and The County of Lennox and Addington to finalize operational planning for an area vaccination clinic at the Strathcona Paper Centre,” says Marg Isbester, Mayor of the Town of Greater Napanee. “This central location allows for easy access for area residents, a large indoor clinic area and ample parking. Council is pleased to be able to assist with this important part of a mass vaccination strategy.”
Vaccine information is continually evolving, for the most up to date information visit KFL&A Public Health website.