Middlesex-London losing 25 per cent of vaccine supply to hot spots

The COVID-19 vaccine supply for the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is being cut by 25 per cent, according to the region's medical officer of health, Dr. Chris Mackie.

That news came on Friday as the province announced a host of new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The province has seen record breaking case counts of the virus all week. Premier Doug Ford said 80 per cent of the cases can be found in 20 per cent of Ontario, meaningvaccinations need to be re-routed to those hot spots.

But, rather than cut the supply of vaccines, Mackie believes the London region would qualify for those doses.

"Our vaccine is being cut by 25 per cent to fund some of the GTA hot spots," said Mackie. "But, our rates here in London and Middlesex have actually caught up. So we are a hot spot, just not recognized."

Lack of vaccine supply threatens clinic

Premier Ford said Friday he wants to see 300,000COVID-19 vaccines administered a day. Roughly 100,000 were delivered Thursday.

Mackie said the London region would have no trouble ramping up its vaccination program to help the province meet its goal and said this is asupply issue.

"We're actually at risk of closing one of our three mass immunization clinics," he said.

"We have another one that can be opened anytime and a fifth clinic that is in the works and could be open in a couple of weeks. So the capacity is there, we just need those vaccines."

There are two mass vaccination clinicsin the city and one in Mount Brydges. Mackiedid not specify which one might close.