Residents roll up sleeves for fourth dose rollout

Fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine became available Thursday for those in the general population 60 years of age or older, along with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Individuals and their adult household members.

Fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine became available Thursday for those in the general population 60 years of age or older, along with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Individuals and their adult household members.

Among those first in line at a walk-in clinic in St. Thomas were local seniors Karin and Eberhard Schmit, on hand to receive their fourth doses.

Seventy-year-old Karin said she contracted the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in December, and fortunately suffered only mild symptoms. She said she believes people need to continue taking it seriously.

“I think we opened up way too early with the unmasking,” Karin said. “I think the masks should still be kept in place. It does help. People need the vaccine.”

“Too many people, they don’t do what they’re supposed to do,” added Eberhard, 76. “Wear a mask, you know.”

Health officials are recommending five months between the third and fourth doses.

Laura Anguish, the program manager of mass immunization clinics with Southwestern Public Health, said they continue to administer third, second, and even first doses in addition to fourth doses.