SIMCOE MUSKOKA – As of Monday, April 3, operation of the COVID-19 Immunization Clinic at 29 Sperling Dr. in Barrie has transferred to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) from the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).

“Vaccination has saved thousands of lives and prevented tens of thousands of severe illnesses from COVID-19 in Simcoe Muskoka. I am profoundly grateful to RVH for their collaboration and tireless work providing accessible and essential vaccination services in our community,” says Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. “Together as a community of healthcare and community service agencies and providers we have given more than 1.5 million COVID vaccinations, reaching over 80 per cent of our population. This has been the most severe pandemic of the century; however, it would have been far worse without all that we did together, including vaccinations.”

Vaccination remains the best defense against infection, severe illness, long-term COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization, and death. The health unit continues to operate the Immunization Clinic five days a week with walk-ins and appointments available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for eligible individuals aged six months and older. Appointments for the Immunization Clinic can be made on the provincial booking site.

RVH will continue to operate the Testing Clinic and COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic at 29 Sperling Drive. Appointments for the Immunization Clinic can be made on the provincial booking site.

Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines are available at health unit office locations in Midland, Orillia, Cookstown, Collingwood, Huntsville and Gravenhurst and can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. Appointments may also be booked with the Couchiching Ontario Health Team Clinic located in the Orillia Soldier's Memorial Hospital Kiwanis Building - West Entrance 170 Colborne St., W. Pop-up clinics will continue to be scheduled throughout Simcoe and Muskoka.

Individuals six months of age and older may also receive the vaccine at some local pharmacies or booked appointments through some primary care providers, and Family Health Teams who are offering the vaccine as part of their regular clinical practice. Individuals are recommended to receive a bivalent booster six months after their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, dose eligibility and booking an appointment, please visit www.smdhu.org/GetVaccinated.

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