Peel set to surpass vaccination goal with 32-hour clinic and adopting “hockey hub” model

May 13, 2021 · 0 Comments

By Rob Paul

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As additional COVID-19 vaccines are received, Peel aims to administer 150,000 doses the week of May 10 to May 16.

This will be the Region’s biggest one-week total so far.

At this pace, projections suggest that the campaign will reach its target of 75 per cent first doses earlier than expected, while also accelerating Ontario’s goal of reaching 65 per cent first dose coverage by the end of May.

As part of the next phase, the Region of Peel is taking steps to provide even more opportunities for residents to get vaccinated by adding approximately 10,000 appointments per week for all residents 18 and older in Peel, extending hours at mass vaccination clinics, launching an additional 10 community workplace clinics, and expanding pharmacy and primary care offerings in the Region.

“This upcoming week represents the most exciting moment of our vaccination campaign to date,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Region of Peel Medical Officer of Health. “Our plan’s next phase brings us closer to reaching our goal of having 75% of residents receive their first dose. We know that stopping COVID-19 in Peel helps all of Ontario, and I encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated without delay. We are grateful to the province for their leadership and collaboration, and in particular for the hotspot allocation provided to us as we battle this severe third wave in our community.

“The additional doses we have received are allowing us to deploy planned expansions and initiatives to move our vaccination program into a higher gear.”

Added Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services: “The feeling in our mass vaccination clinics is one of hope. The increase in vaccine supply means we can reach more residents faster and continue to protect our community. This is an exciting time in Peel, and we will continue to work hard and beat COVID together.”

As part of the effort to administer the most vaccines in a week in Peel, the Region is running a “Doses After Dark” 32-hour marathon clinic at the International Centre in Mississauga May 15 through May 16. The clinic will run from 12:30 p.m. on Saturday around the clock until 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

In the span of 32 hours, more than 7,600 doses will be given, including over 5,000 delivered during the overnight hours. This will be the most vaccines administered at a single clinic since the start of Peel’s campaign.

Peel residents are able to book an appointment as of Tuesday, May 11, for “Doses After Dark.” Anyone over the age of 18 in Peel is eligible.

To help drive up excitement about “Doses After Dark,” the Region will have surprises and giveaways planned to make sure that everyone going to the clinic has a great experience. There will also be a 32-hour shot clock running at the clinic to keep track of how many vaccines are administered.

“I’m calling on all our residents 18-plus to help fill these overnight spots at ‘Doses After Dark!’ Let’s do everything we can, together, to keep the momentum going in Peel and reach our goal of 75 per cent first dose coverage in our community even sooner than previously anticipated,” said Loh.

To help with administering vaccines in Peel, Bruce Power announced a new partnership with Peel Public Health to bring together a coalition of organizations to establish one of Canada’s largest vaccination centres.

The regional clinic, operated by Peel Public Health at the CAA Centre in Brampton, will be in service later this month and will use a “Hockey Hub” model in an NHL-sized rink. It will provide the region the capacity for thousands of daily vaccines, building on a model used in Grey-Bruce that set a daily national record in April.

“The Region of Peel is pleased to partner with Bruce Power to offer another location for Peel residents to get their vaccine,” said Loh. “This unique partnership is another way that we’re working together in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccination of as many residents as possible is essential.”

A number of organizations are providing support to set up and run the centre, which is expected to begin operating for one month in late-May. The organizations include: Alectra Utilities, Nordion, the Power Workers’ Union, Framatome, Kinectrics, SNC-Lavalin, NPX, CGI Inc., LiUNA, BWXT, E.S. Fox, EnergySolutions, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Vaccination Support Council.

“We are all in this together and this is an example of how our province comes together in a very special way during challenging times,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Operational Services, and Co-Chair of the Ontario Vaccination Support Council. “Bruce Power, along with many committed organizations, remains dedicated to working with public health and all levels of government to assist in the historic vaccination effort that will put an end to the pandemic.

“To date, we have supported the establishment of a number of Hockey Hub vaccination clinics across the province. We are pleased to work with Peel Public Health and this partnership of organizations to stand up new capacity that could be one Canada’s largest vaccination centres to one of Ontario’s hardest hit regions as quickly as possible.”

The Hockey Hub model was developed by Dr. Ian Arra, Medical Officer of Health at the Grey Bruce Health Unit. This model uses a streamlined flow-through process, which can administer more vaccines with fewer clinical staff than traditional mass vaccination clinics.

“The Hockey Hub model really is a game changer in terms of efficiency and safety as we make every effort to get as many people vaccinated in as short as time as possible,” said Dr. Arra. “Public Health has been the leader in managing the pandemic. This innovation is yet another example of how Public Health saves lives. The Grey Bruce Health Unit team has supported a number of jurisdictions in adopting this model and customizing it to their local needs. We are thrilled to be part of this new partnership with Peel Public Health and Bruce Power to develop the Hockey Hub in Peel and the Greater Toronto Area.”

Noted Dufferin-Caledon MPP – and Solicitor Generall Sylvia Jones: “We commend Bruce Power for taking the initiative to establish a large vaccination centre to protect communities. Every vaccine administered is a step toward reducing COVID-19 transmission and we are grateful for this partnership in helping make vaccines more accessible.”

The Peel Region Hockey Hub at the CAA Centre in Brampton will be open to the public, and residents 18+ can book their appointment through the Peel Public Health booking system or the provincial online booking portal. There is a critical need for volunteers to help ensure these centres can run efficiently and reach as many people as possible.

For more information or to volunteer at the new vaccination centre please visit peelvaccinehub.ca. To check vaccine eligibility or book a vaccine appointment in Peel Region, visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/book-appointment and visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus/vaccine for regular updates on priority groups and clinic locations.

As of May 11, Peel Region has seen a total of 101,886 total cases of COVID-19, with the median age of those infected being 36. 4,131 of the total cases have come from Caledon. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the region sits at 733—median age of 84—with 15 deaths in Caledon.

To this point, 716,566 total doses of the vaccine have been administered in Peel—27,097 of whom have received their second dose. Over the last seven-day period recorded—May 4 to May 11—125,586 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Peel.

The largest number of cases by age group in Peel is those between the ages of 20 and 29 with 24.4 per cent of cases coming from that demographic. Of the total cases, 70.2 per cent of those infected have been between the ages of 20 and 59—15.6 per cent have been from those over 59 and 14.2 per cent have been from those under the age of 20.

Over 60 per cent of residents in Peel over the age of 50 have received at least one dose of the vaccine and over 20 per cent of residents between the ages of 18 and 49 have received at least one dose.