Wilfrid Laurier University will be providing space at its Brantford campus for a mass COVID-19 immunization clinic. Operated by the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU), the clinic will be housed in One Market, a former shopping centre, which the university is renovating to create a hub for student and community activity. A second clinic serving the County of Brant will be located at the Paris Fair Grounds. Both clinic sites will begin operation next week.
The BCHU expects that these sites will operate as Brant's main mass immunization locations until the completion of Phase Two of the Province's three-phased vaccine distribution implementation plan. These sites will run in conjunction with additional on-site and mobile clinics designed to vaccinate specific population groups. The Laurier site's downtown location is both accessible and convenient for residents who rely on public transportation.
"The university is grateful for the opportunity to support the Brant County Health Unit in its important work to immunize members of the community with the COVID-19 vaccine," said Heidi Northwood, senior executive officer of Laurier's Brantford campus. "We know that the past 12 months have been very challenging for everyone in our community. We're pleased to be able to play this role in Brantford-Brant's response to COVID-19."
"We are thankful to Laurier for allowing us use of their facility," said Jo Ann Tober, the chief executive officer at BCHU. "Laurier, among many other community partners and organizations who approached the health unit offering up their space, has shown the trememdous community spirit we've seen time and again throughout this pandemic."
According to the BCHU, among the first groups to be vaccinated will be adults aged 80 years of age and older, who are residents of Brant. All clinics will be appointment-based. It is requested that residents refrain from visiting vaccine administration sites without a prescheduled appointment.
Additional information is available from the BCHU at bchu.org/COVID19Vaccines.
