Carp pharmacy added to vaccine distribution list

CARP – While the Pharmasave West Carleton Drug Mart was added to the list of Ontario pharmacies that will be providing AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines yesterday (April 11), staff at the store currently have no information on the process.

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod released a statement yesterday announcing 80 Ottawa-area pharmacies that will be distributing vaccines to those 55 and older which included the Carp pharmacy. MacLeod says the pharmacies on the list will start inoculating residents as early as later this week.

The news will certainly be welcomed by West Carleton residents wanting a convenient location to get their vaccine, the news comes as a surprise to the pharmacy manager.

Manager Ryan White says his location has not been informed by the Ontario government as of roughly 10 a.m. this morning (April 12).

“We have completed all the applications that would allow us to do that, but we haven’t been informed by the province yet, and we don’t have any vaccinations at this location,” White told West Carleton Online this morning.

White directed West Carleton Online to the Pharmasave territory representative, but calls have so far gone unanswered at this time.

Special education teachers, homebound healthcare recipients added to priority list

OTTAWA – Ottawa has added more high-priority groups to the line-up of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Two high-priority groups of residents are now eligible for vaccination appointments,” city staff released in a statement today (April 12). “In line with Province of Ontario guidance, vaccines will be made available to special education teachers and homebound home health care recipients.” 

The new groups include special education teachers and homebound health-care recipients.

“A list of special education teachers has been compiled with the assistance of all school boards in Ottawa,” staff said. “Special Education teachers will be contacted directly for vaccinations, which are expected to begin next week. The date, time and location of the appointment will be provided by email.”

Ottawa Public Health is actively working with health partners including Community Health Centres (CHCs) to support in-home vaccination of homebound health-care recipients. 

“Eligible recipients will be contacted to book an in-home vaccination,” staff said. “Currently, homebound health-care recipients are the only group eligible for in-home vaccination. Once vaccines have been provided to everyone in this group, Ottawa Public Health will work with its partners to identify other homebound residents.”  

Details on vaccinations for other high-priority groups will be announced as plans are finalized and vaccine doses are received from the Province of Ontario. 

“Residents of all ages who are not yet eligible for the vaccine are encouraged to follow announcements on the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health websites and social media channels, and from your local news media to learn when you can receive your vaccine,” staff said. “You can also sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out.”

Visit ottawa.ca or OttawaPublicHealth.ca  for more information on Ottawa’s vaccination distribution plan.  

Library returns to curbside pick-up

OTTAWA – Ottawa Public Library has scaled back physical library services to holds pickup and returns at branch entrances  ̶  curbside ̶  to keep OPL customers and employees safe, further to the provincial emergency and stay-at-home order which took effect today.   

Throughout the city, 31 library branches remain open to offer curbside returns and holds pick up. Customers will no longer be permitted to enter the buildings.   

“Hours of operation remain the same,” the OPL released in astatement. ”Cardholders will be able to return library items and pick up holds without an appointment by lining up at the branch entrance where employees will be available to help.”

Cardholders can return Library items only when branches are open. Bookmobile and Homebound Services will continue though customers will not be able to enter the vehicle. The OPL website is available 24/7 for virtual browsing of our catalogue, varied digital resources and a wide range of virtual programs.    

“The library continues to follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and as such, mask-wearing outside in line remains mandatory,” the OPL said. “We recommend to all our cardholders to visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca for more detailed information including hours of operation at their local branch, to place holds for library items and explore OPL’s virtual offerings.”