Kitchener Rangers launch campaign to 'shut out COVID-19'
Think of 3rd dose as the 'hat trick' of vaccines, team's chief operating officer says
Almost 10,000 residents in Waterloo region who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine need to get their first dose for public health to reach its 90 per cent immunization target.
The region has been working to encourage people aged five and older to get vaccinated and now, the Kitchener Rangers are stepping in to help with the effort.
The team has partnered up with the region to launch "Shut Out COVID-19," a campaign aimed at promoting vaccinations in the region. The team will be using its social media to share public health messaging and play videos during home games in an effort to reach out to everyone and especially youth.
"We know that we have a great influence on youth, not just hockey players, but all youth in the region," Joe Birch, chief operating officer for the hockey team, said in a public health briefing on Friday. "We want more people to get vaccinated, including that booster dose or that 'hat trick.'"
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. <br><br>Help shut out COVID-19 and join <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamVaccineWR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamVaccineWR</a> 👊 <a href="https://t.co/iOvt7IxNBc">https://t.co/iOvt7IxNBc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OHLRangers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OHLRangers</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RegionWaterloo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RegionWaterloo</a> <a href="https://t.co/4FZi9C0rI0">pic.twitter.com/4FZi9C0rI0</a>
—@OHLRangersAs of Friday, all youth between 12 to 17 years old who got their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago are eligible to receive their third shot.
"We're encouraging families to vaccinate their children so they can stay in school and return safely to the activities they enjoy. Whether that is youth hockey, youth baseball, basketball, music, dance, it doesn't matter," Birch said.
The hockey team plans to host mobile vaccination clinics before games on March 20 and March 27.
The region's medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang recommends people get vaccinated, even if they're already been infected with Omicron, because it'll provide lasting protection from other variants as well.
People who are eligible for their first, second or third dose of the vaccine can get it by walking into any regionally run vaccination clinics. A list of locations is available on the region's website.
Some pharmacists and doctor's offices also have the vaccine available, although appointments may be needed.