CCHC
Need questions answered about COVID-19 vaccines? Want your shot right here in Centretown, and at a time where you won’t have to miss work? Prefer to get vaccinated in a more personal, intimate setting with people who understand you don’t like needles?
The Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC) is here to help you.
Every time that COVID-19 springs a new variant, CCHC rallies its resources and pulls all the stops to support clients and meet them where they are. Some people have been eager to be vaccinated, others more reluctant.
With hesitancy in mind and our client-centered approach to care, we offer vaccination and information clinics. Their goal is to create a welcoming, non-judgmental space for folks who are hesitant and give them the opportunity to ask questions.
Sometimes people leave without getting the vaccine, but we hope we answered their questions and made a safe space where they would feel comfortable to return to.
Keeping it close to home is something that CCHC is very good at. We carefully consider the social factors that have an impact on health and engage the community to ensure we remain responsive to local needs.
It was important to offer a vaccine site in Centretown with large-scale and some weekly smaller-scale clinics, within and outside of typical business hours to accommodate the various needs. Some people are not able to make it to the larger clinics in the city, or they do not feel comfortable taking transit during the pandemic. Therefore, we aim to reduce access barriers by providing help to navigate the online system, and offering registration by phone.
We offer walk-in opportunities/clinics for those who cannot make booked appointments, reaching out specifically to those who have not been vaccinated yet and offering support in getting vaccinated or providing vaccines on the spot when possible. We offer interpretation by phone for folks who don’t speak English or French, allowing us to see people from many cultures and who speak various languages.
In addition to our onsite clinics, we have vaccinated homebound clients in their home, in shelters like the Cornerstone Women’s shelter, and at the YMCA. We partnered with Tom Brown Respite and other community partners to offer several clinics.
We held a special kids’ COVID-19 vaccine clinic just before the holidays and are planning for more in the next few weeks. Our smaller-scale, more personal and intimate setting on-site clinics are very well received. They help folks who have needle fears, or who are afraid of going into larger crowds during the pandemic.
As well, the on-site location allows CCHC staff to offer, or to connect people with other community services, as needed. For example, our clients can take advantage of the SITE needle exchange program, receive COVID testing information, or be referred to a community support workers.
Since the start of the vaccine rollout, the staff and the primary care workers at Centretown Community Health Centre have given almost 2,500 doses of vaccines.
When the pandemic hit two years ago, people felt unsafe. When everyone hunkered down, the most vulnerable could not. Uncertain times redefined what it means to be part of a community. The Centretown Community Health Centre strives to continue to be there and answer the call.
To book an appointment: call 343-540-9125 or book online.