In 2022, due to increased vaccine coverage rates and a reduction in disease prevalence in Windsor and Essex County (WEC), we were able to de-mobilize our mass immunization clinics in Windsor and Leamington. The WECHU began to offer smaller, daily in-house COVID-19 vaccine clinics as well as mobile clinics throughout the community. We continued to foster our relationships with local hospitals, Essex-Windsor EMS, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and community organizations to expand the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine. There was an emphasis on high-risk populations with the roll-out of bivalent boosters in the fall of 2022 and we increased our vaccine availability to community members living in high priority Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs) through targeted mobile clinic events.
Through collective community efforts, there were 234,241 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered locally in 2022. In the latter part of the year, the focus on “staying up to date” with COVID-19 booster doses (3+ doses) and access to new products (i.e., the bivalent vaccine) was maintained, to ensure better protection for our community against new COVID-19 strains.
234,241 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in 2022
COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage in WEC
- 2.6% of residents 5 years + have received their 1st dose.
- 4.9% of residents 5 years + have received their 2nd dose.22.2% of residents 12 years + have received their 3rd dose.
- 23% of residents 18 years + have received their 3rd dose.
- 24.3% of residents 18 years + have received their 4th dose.
- 9.1% of residents 18 years + have received their 5th dose.
COVID-19 Ongoing Support
The WECHU continued to provide support to the WEC community through various programs and services.
The COVID Response Team completed case investigations on more than 26,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and followed up with 1,115 close contacts in 2022. The WECHU Infectious Disease Prevention (IDP) and Environmental Health departments built capacity among highest risk settings by declaring and managing 399 outbreaks and conducting 50 on-site investigations. Highest risk settings include long-term care homes, retirement homes, congregate living settings, correctional facilities, Agri-farms, and hospitals.
In addition, the WECHU held the lead role for WEC’s regional infection prevention and control (IPAC) hub, working in collaboration with hospital partners. Educational sessions and training were also provided for the highest-risk settings.
Through various communication platforms and strategies, the WECHU provided accurate, timely, and reliable COVID-19 information from the international, federal, provincial, and local level to residents, workplaces, and businesses.
Impact of COVID-19 in the Community
- 26,035 confirmed cases of COVID-19
- 399 outbreaks in the community across workplaces, long-term care homes, retirement homes, congregate living settings, and hospitals.
- 240 COVID-19 related deaths reported.