The mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in London's south end will be closing its doors next month.
The Middlesex London Health Unit announced on Friday that the vaccination clinic at the Earl Nichols Recreation Centre will administer its final dose of the vaccine on March 4. A rise in the number of pop-up mobile clinics and dwindling demand for the shot were cited as reasons for the decision to once again shutter the mass vaccination clinic at 799 Homeview Road.
“We are grateful to the many clinic staff members and volunteers who worked at the Earl Nichols vaccination site and made it such a comfortable and welcoming setting for people and their families to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” Dr. Alex Summers, the region's acting medical officer of health, said in a statement.
Since opening last May, more than 80,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at Earl Nichols. The site was temporarily closed just before Labour Day when fewer people were seeking a first or second dose. It was reopened this year when demand for the booster shot surged after the province expanded eligibility to include everyone over the age of 18.
The health unit's two other mass vaccination clinics will remain open for the time being. The clinic at the Western Fair District Agriplex is open seven days a week, while the one at the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges is open five days a week.
As the push to make the shot more accessible and convenient for everyone continues, the health unit has added more mobile and pop-up school based clinics. A full list of the mobile and pop-up clinics can be found by clicking here. Additional clinics for March are expected to be added soon.
"We are confident that the next phase of our vaccination campaign will provide convenient opportunities for families to get the protection they need, whether that’s a first, second or booster dose of vaccine," added Summers.