First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Arrives In Windsor

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Photo courtesy Windsor Regional Hospital

Windsor Essex has received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines.

The first limited supply of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was delivered Monday morning to the St. Clair College Sportsplex with heavy police and security presence.

“This is an exciting time in our community as we receive the initial supply of long-awaited doses to vaccinate against the COVID-19 virus,” said WRH President and CEO David Musyj. “We know this is just the start, and that initial vaccinations will be limited. However, like all communities across Canada, we look forward to the opportunities next year to bring vaccinations to individuals across Windsor-Essex.”

Windsor Regional Hospital says the vaccine is now stored in freezers at -80 degree Celsius, which is the temperature required for the vaccine storage until prepared clinically for inoculation.

Hospital officials say the Pfizer vaccine is not allowed to be transported from its initial delivery site, meaning all individuals being inoculated will need to visit the Sportsplex.

They say staff are receiving final training today and preparations are underway for initial vaccinations to take place on Tuesday.

The vaccine will be guarded at the site, around-the-clock, by Windsor Police.

The hospital says the use of the Sportsplex as a vaccine centre will not prevent the site from also being used as a field hospital, should the conditions warrant the reopening of the facility.

“Given the size and technical specifications of the facility, we would be able to run a segregated vaccination area as well as a field hospital for active patients without impacting either operation,” Musyj said.

The first group to be vaccinated will be employees who work at long term care and retirement homes.