Special Ed workers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine clinics: APH

Today, Algoma Public Health (APH) provided some detail on how local education workers who work with special needs students can book their vaccines.

On April 7, the provincial government announced its plan to vaccinate education workers in area hot spots over the April break. Initially, this rolled out to hotspots, including Toronto and Peel.

Today, APH provided some clarity on who is eligible and they can book.

In a Facebook post, APH says education workers who provide daily direct support to students with special needs, including students who require support with activities of daily living, including health and safety measures, or students who are unable to wear a mask, or have complex medical needs, or cannot be accommodated through remote learning are eligible to book a COVID-1 vaccine appointment.

APH has advised education workers booking an appointment to choose 'other priority population' when entering 'what is your reason for booking.'

Ford's government said yesterday that even though Ontario schools are moving to online-only following the April break, due to concern over COVID-19 variants and community spread, vaccination prioritization of education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in select hotspot areas, start with Peel and Toronto, will continue.

Online bookings opened today at 10 a.m. for the Community Vaccine Hub being held at the GFL Memorial Gardens on April 17, 24, May 1 and 8.

On its website, the health unit advised it is experiencing a high volume of calls to the COVID-19 vaccination booking line, urging residents trying to get through to be patient.

Algoma is currently in Phase 1 of Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccine Distribution Program. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and the clinics currently being offered in Algoma.

To date, APH has administered 29,595 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the region.