The COVID vaccination roll-out and increasing overall vaccination rates to meet or exceed 90% continues to be a top priority for OPH. Work continues to reduce barriers to accessing the vaccine and brining the vaccine to where people work, live and play which includes supporting uptake in individuals aged 18-39.
Since August 2, vaccination rates in Ottawa have increased with individuals obtaining at least one dose from 83% to 86% and two doses from 72% to 80% among eligible residents aged 12 years old and older. The highest increase in full vaccination coverage occurred among four neighbourhoods: Parkwood Hills – Stewart Farm, Vars, Riverview, and Chapman Mills, with each neighbourhood increasing by ten percent. 22 neighbourhoods saw an eight percentage point increase in full vaccination coverage. More information regarding vaccine coverage by neighbourhood can be found on the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study’s website.
Work with Partners
Increasing vaccine uptake for individuals aged 18-39 continues to be a priority. The past two weekends OPH has worked with the Ottawa Redblacks to host a vaccine clinics at their home games and further opportunities are scheduled for this weekend at community events.
OPH continues to work closely with the city’s four post-secondary institutions to ensure vaccine access for students, staff and the local community. In collaboration with partners at Collège La Cité, the University of Ottawa, Algonquin College and Carleton University, on-campus vaccine clinics are being planned in the following weeks to help provide vaccine access to students, staff and neighbouring communities. As clinics are confirmed they will be added to our website.
OPH and partners are continuing to collaborate on new opportunities to reach individuals within the 18-39 age group in settings where they live, work and play.
Vaccination Policies and Workplace Vaccination Policy Guide
As we learned on Wednesday, the Provincial Vaccine Certification System will apply to the patrons of certain businesses and settings. Ottawa Public Health strongly recommends all Ottawa employers implement workplace vaccination policies to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission for employees as well. To support employers, Ottawa Public Health released guidance for how to develop and implement workplace vaccination policies as part of their COVID-19 safety planning. This new Guide on How to Create a Workplace Vaccination Policy for employers provides key considerations for the development and implementation of their own workplace vaccination policies. Ottawa Public Health has used a similar approach for its workplace vaccination policy. The guidance is publicly available on OPH’s website.
OPH is reviewing the most recent provincial announcement regarding proof of vaccination in public settings and will be providing additional info in the coming days.
All Ontario residents who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine currently have access to a paper or PDF vaccine receipt that includes all relevant information to prove that they are fully vaccinated. Individuals can provide proof of immunization by downloading or printing their vaccine receipt from the provincial booking portal, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900. You can also visit a Neighbourhood Vaccination Hub if you don’t have access to a printer – our OPH staff will be happy to help you.
Vaccine Clinics
OPH has shifted COVID-19 community clinic capacity to increase vaccination opportunities at the neighbourhood level and meet an increasing demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. Clinics can be quickly scaled up or down to accommodate demands.
The community clinic locations at Nepean Sportsplex and City Hall have been closed. Beginning Tuesday, September 7, the community clinic locations will accept drop-ins for first and second doses, no appointments necessary, between 12:45 pm and 7 pm, Tuesday to Friday, and between 9:45 am and 4 pm on Saturdays:
· Eva James Community Centre – 65 Stonehaven Drive
· Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, Orléans – 265 Centrum Boulevard
· Minto Sports Complex at uOttawa – 801 King Edward Avenue
· J.H. Putman Public School – 2051 Bel-Air Drive – newly added clinic location
There are other convenient options to get a vaccine in your neighbourhood:
· Visit one of the 10 neighbourhood vaccination hubs currently offered
· Book an appointment with your local pharmacy
· Visit a pop-up clinic
Transportation support services are available to assist in getting to and from your appointment.
After you have been vaccinated you will receive a confirmation email with proof of vaccination. You can also download a vaccine receipt through Ontario.ca/bookvaccine.
Workplaces, community organizations, places of worship and other groups can now request a mobile vaccination team to administer doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on-site, at their own location. This can be completed online with Ottawa Public Health’s Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Community Clinic Request Form.
The attached Key Information Guide provides an overview of the various vaccine distribution channels and how residents can book an appointment. Please refer to this guide when responding to resident inquiries.
OPH’s COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard also contains up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccinations in Ottawa. For any new questions, please contact OPHStakeholderRelations@ottawa.ca.
As vaccination plans continue to evolve, we still continue to encourage residents to sign up for the City’s COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription and follow announcements on the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health websites and social media channels.