Local vaccination capacity could fall short of surging booster demand

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is believed to be the dominant strain spreading throughout London and Middlesex County and fuelling demand for booster shots.

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is believed to be the dominant strain spreading throughout London and Middlesex County and fuelling demand for booster shots.

At Masonville Place mall, a long line of people waited outside the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s (MLHU) pop-up vaccination clinic over the lunch hour.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of people attended the Western Fair District Agriplex mass vaccination clinic throughout the day.

Currently the health unit can vaccinate up to 2,800 people each day:

Recently, more appointments were added at the Agriplex until Christmas Eve, but Dr. Alex Summers, acting medical officer of health, admits meeting demand will take time.

“Certainly, we are looking at all options, if required, to increase vaccination capacity in the short term. It’s not a simple thing to do,” he explains.

Summers is concerned about a possible logjam of appointments as the province expands booster eligibility to all adults sooner -- because the 50+ cohort may not be finished.