The public COVID-19 vaccination clinic on the University of Guelph campus will close Jan. 21 due to high vaccination rates and greater vaccine availability within the Guelph community.

Since the facility opened Jan. 4, about 9,000 people received vaccine doses at the campus clinic.

“I am delighted and inspired by the enthusiasm and spirit of collaboration that was displayed, once again, by our University and greater Guelph community,” said U of G president Dr. Charlotte Yates.

“People came together under tight time constraints and challenging circumstances to organize and operate our second successful campus vaccination clinic, with many of our faculty, staff and students volunteering their time and expertise. Vaccination is the best way to protect people from the most serious negative health effects of COVID-19, and I am so proud the University was able to help make a difference.”

Run in partnership with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the Guelph Family Health Team, the clinic was established as part of a community-wide effort to boost vaccination rates and help stem the current pandemic wave.

People sit on chairs while resting after vaccination in the Mitchell gym
The post-vaccination waiting area in the Athletics Centre

Held in the W.F. Mitchell gym of the Athletics Centre, the clinic initially saw 1,200 vaccination appointments a day. That number had dwindled to fewer than 100 by late this week, said Christine Zulauf, catering manager with Hospitality Services.

She said the clinic attracted visitors from across the region.

“It’s been a really unique experience to play a role and help get all of these vaccines into the community,” said Zulauf. “Hopefully, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we won’t have to live through another pandemic. I’m glad the University was able to help out.”

About 55 volunteers, including staff, faculty and community members, helped direct clinic visitors into and out of the facility. They contributed almost 1,000 volunteer hours in all this month; on average, about 16 volunteers were on hand at the clinic each day.

Many of those volunteers had also helped with the first campus vaccination clinic held for almost five months in 2021. More than 80,000 vaccinations were administered during that earlier five-month clinic.

“It was really wonderful that so many volunteers came back to help us this time around,” said Zulauf.

COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be offered to faculty, staff and students on campus through Student Health Services.

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