Changing the COVID conversation

Large-scale Sarnia immunization clinic offers hope that pandemic's end is near

As Canada creeps up on almost one-million cases of COVID-19, it’s sobering to realize that more than one-third of those who’ve tested positive so far reside in Ontario.

Since the onset of the global pandemic more than a year ago, fear of COVID-19 has dominated Canada’s most populous province, but the proverbial light at the end of a long, dark tunnel is now coming into view.

That light began to shine a little more brightly with the opening of the region’s first large-scale public COVID-19 immunization facility on March 22—inside a hockey rink in the Sarnia suburb of Point Edward.

The facility, the first of its kind in the region, is run by the Lambton County Public Health Unit and was made possible by financial support from the local petrochemical industry and partners like Enbridge.

“As a leading employer in the Sarnia-Lambton region, Enbridge Pipelines is committed to supporting public health authorities in their efforts to immunize as many people as possible in a safe and effective manner,” says Vik Kohli, Director, Eastern Region Operations. “Vaccines offer hope for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and the way this facility has been set up offers an innovative means of safely immunizing as many Ontarians as soon as possible.”

A high-volume immunization clinic

The immunization facility utilizes a “hockey hub” model in which patients remain in an individual “pod” once registered. Documentation, vaccine administration, and patient recovery all take place within the pod, while the person administering the vaccine moves from pod to pod and is thereby able to immunize a higher number of individuals in less time than traditional clinic models. At the Point Edward facility, there are 60 available pods which enable a high volume of people to safely move through the clinic at the same time.

“As individuals, it’s difficult for us to contemplate the planning, the logistics and the collaboration that’s required before a facility like this can become a reality,” Kohli adds. “Enbridge is honored to play a small part in the accelerated vaccine roll-out here in Lambton County. We are equally proud to be part of a community and a group of like-minded partners that has worked so well together to get this facility up and running in such a short time.”

Ontario Chamber helping to accelerate vaccine distribution

Enbridge was invited to participate by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which is spearheading the province’s plan to accelerate vaccine distribution across the province. In addition to pitching in toward this first facility, Enbridge has pledged additional funds of up to $75,000 for the establishment of a second large-scale immunization clinic, the details of which are yet to be determined.

“With the opening of facilities like this one in Point Edward and more to come,” Kohli concludes, “We are beginning to put the pandemic where it belongs – in our rear-view mirror.”

(TOP PHOTO: The first large-scale public COVID-19 immunization facility in southwestern Ontario opened on March 22—inside a hockey rink in the Sarnia suburb of Point Edward.)