Headwaters Health Care Centre Staff Receive COVID-19 Vaccination

Jan 8th, 2021
By rwhelan
Headwaters Health Care Centre logo

MEDIA RELEASE  
Headwaters Health Care Centre staff receive COVID-19 vaccination 


ORANGEVILLE, ON – January 8, 2021 – Rachel Kalas, Registered Nurse is among the first Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as vaccination opportunities arrive in the region this week.  

The first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph earlier this week and Public Health has launched their vaccination program; vaccinating staff and residents at long term care settings and retirement homes.  

With increased capacity of COVID-19 vaccinations, William Osler Health System has opened their Vaccine Clinic at Brampton Civic Hospital to HHCC staff and physicians. While the priority focus remains on long term care and retirement homes, high-risk healthcare providers are offered spaces where availability permits.   

Rachel Kalas was among the first HHCC staff to receive the vaccine at the Vaccine Clinic at Brampton Civic Hospital. Rachel works as a Registered Nurse in HHCC’s Emergency Department and has been part of the frontline response to the pandemic since its onset; caring for patients and families as well as supporting colleagues.  

 “This is an emotional moment for me. It has been such a journey navigating this pandemic; from my home life to work life and everything in between. I feel like this vaccine is a symbol of hope that we won’t have to balance the weight of the pandemic as much anymore” remarked Rachel. 

Headwaters has experienced 70 positive inpatients and 42 positive staff and physicians since the start of the pandemic in March. COVID-19 cases are expected to increase in the coming weeks as the numbers continue to climb in the province.  

 “I am extremely grateful to our community partners for creating opportunities to protect our staff and physicians against COVID-19. The arrival of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in our region is encouraging and I am hopeful with the current public health restrictions in place, along with continued adherence to public health guidelines we will soon start to see the results we are all hoping for and working hard to achieve.” remarked Kim Delahunt, President & CEO of Headwaters Health Care Centre. 

As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, HHCC is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone who works and receives care at the hospital.  

Nurse receiving a vaccine

Photo caption: Rachel Kalas receiving her vaccine at William Osler Health System’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Brampton Civic Hospital. 

Additional Resources: 
A link to Ontario’s vaccination program to help protect against COVID-19.  
Provincial Government’s Framework for to help hospitals prepare for the sequencing of staff and physicians.  
A link to information about the Vaccine Clinic at Brampton Civic Hospital

For further information about Headwaters Health Care Centre please contact:  
Jennifer Hamilton, MA, MBA Director, Communication & Stakeholder Relations, Headwaters Health Care Centre | Tel: 519-278-5085| Email: jhamilton@headwatershealth.ca | Subscribe to our e-newsletter  

For further information about the Vaccine Clinic at Brampton Civic Hospital contact: 
Donna Harries, Senior Manager, Public Relations, William Osler Health System | Tel: 416-543-9294 | Email: donna.harris@williamoslerhs.ca 

Click here to view the original press release.