Health Department urges more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19

GN calls it ‘best protection against severe disease,’ vaccines available to people age five and older

Nunavut’s Health Department is urging more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. (File photo)

By Nunatsiaq News

Stressing vaccination as the best defence against COVID-19, the Nunavut Health Department wants more people to get their shots.

“April 21 to 28 is National Immunization Awareness week in Canada. Each year, this week acknowledges that vaccines have saved millions of lives,” said department spokesperson Danarae Sommerville, in a release.

“As Canada and Nunavut continue to live with COVID-19, it is more important than ever to recognize that vaccines are safe, effective and the best protection against severe disease.”

Nunavut dropped most COVID-19 public health restrictions earlier this month. However, masks are required when people attend a vaccination clinic.

Vaccines are available to anyone aged five and older, including second booster shots for people 50 and older at least four and a half months after they received their first booster dose.

The department said vaccinations are available across all of Nunavut by contacting local health centres.

In Iqaluit, they are available through Iqaluit Public Health either by appointment or walk-in.

For anyone aged five and older looking for first or second doses or first booster shots, and those aged five to 11 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised seeking a third dose, clinics run Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

The same clinics are open to people age 50 and older seeking a second booster dose. However, they should phone 867-975-4810 to book an appointment.

Anyone else who prefers to book an appointment can do so through the same number.

According to the federal government, 72.8 per cent of all Nunavut residents have received at least two vaccine doses and 36.9 per cent have their third-dose booster shot, as of April 10.

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(6) Comments:

  1. Posted by Bert Rose on

    My wife and I were number 1 and number 2 to get our second booster shot.
    I wonder who will be 20,000 and 20,001?
    Everyone should get theses vaccines that possibly can.

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    • Posted by 867 on

      No thanks

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      • Posted by The Old Trapper on

        Let me guess;
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        Your immune system will protect you. (Fact – the vaccine primes your immune system to do a quicker and better job when you get infected.)
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        Or is it that a vaccine that has been given over 11 billion times is still “unproven”. (mRNA technology was in the works for years before being applied to COV-2). No DNA mutations, I promise!
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        Or is it the 5G transmitters and the global conspiracy to track everything you do? (You’re not that important).
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        Or maybe you’re afraid of a little needle? (Grow up).
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        Or is it that by getting the vaccine you would be admitting that you have been wrong for the last two years. It’s better to be alive and well and admit that you made a mistake than to be sick, or dead and prove that you were wrong.

        Get vaccinated.

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  2. Posted by Listener on

    I think self education is the key here. Not walking with closed eyes.

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  3. Posted by Comment on

    I get it, I really do – nobody likes getting told what to do.

    Nunavut has limited healthcare services. Getting the jab isn’t about doing what one is told, it is about Piliriqatigiinniq, it is about Inuuqatigiitsiarniq, it is about recognising that our decisions impact others. If you end up sick and in the hospital because you were too stubborn to get vaccinated you’re taking services away from elders, people with cancer, people who have had accidents.

    The choice is yours of course, but will you choose to be selfish or choose to support your community?

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    • Posted by Here too on

      Has nothing to do with supporting others. You will get it eventually.

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