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scammers try to jump vaccine queue in eastern ontario
"this is disruptive, strains resources and takes appointments away from those who need them most."
mar 25 2021
2 minute read
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by: wayne lowrie
the leeds, grenville and lanark district health unit reports that scammers are attempting to jump ahead in the vaccine queue by using appointment booking codes obtained from friends or social media.
but the local health unit warns that the deception won’t work.
in stern posts on social media, the health unit said the pretenders will be turned away at the vaccine centres that check the eligibility of people who show up for their appointments.
if you are not eligible yet for a shot, do not book a vaccine appointment, the health unit warns.
“this is disruptive, strains resources and takes appointments away from those who need them most,” health unit officials said.
the rollout of vaccines has been slow due mainly to shortages of vaccine, but it is expected to speed up as the supply increases.
as of last week, a total of 13,997 residents of the 170,000-population health unit had received their first shot, and some had gotten both.
that number includes the 3,746 people who received their first shot last week and 38 who got their second jab.
so far, the health unit has concentrated on vaccinating priority health-care workers, residents and staff of long-term-care and retirement homes, seniors aged 80 and older, adults in chronic home care and indigenous people aged 55 and older.
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brockville police chief scott fraser on tuesday said front-line officers have also had the opportunity to get vaccinated. speaking at the police services board meeting online, he was not sure if all the officers have received a shot.
this week, the provincial booking hotline began scheduling appointments for vaccinations for people 75 and up to start on april 5.
the health unit has its own hotline to help people who have problems booking through the provincial number. it can be reached toll-free at 1-844-369-1234, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week
the health unit has cancelled programs and shifted staff to concentrate on covid-19 contact-tracing and the vaccine rollout.
as the number of active virus cases grows in leeds, grenville and lanark, the all-hands-on-deck directive will allow the health unit to commit more staffers to tracking down people who might have been in contact with a virus carrier.
“this temporary change allows us to focus on managing the high volume of covid-19 cases and high risk contacts while continuing to move forward with our covid-19 vaccine distribution plan,” dr. paula stewart, medical officer of health, said in a statement.
the temporary measures, which continue until april 9, will see the cancellation of clinics for breastfeeding, sexual health and non-covid immunizations. as well, the health unit will change its smart-work services and well-testing dropoffs.
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its phone lines will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days a week at 1-800-660-5853 and 613-345-5685 after-hours for emergencies.
wlowrie@postmedia.com
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