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5 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M ay 6,2021 insidehalton.com Over 120,000 satisfied custOmers 9 Locations to serve you better Heating & Cooling www.aireonewest.ca Beat the Price increase & shortageBeat the Price increase & shortage OAKVILLE 905-849-4998 1-888-827-2665 Beat the Price increase & shortageBeat the Price increase & shortage $700 OFF HIGH EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR HIGH-EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE $29 /MONTH OAC* *Call for Details Starting From $2,299 10 Year Factory Warranty *Call for Details Starting From $4,999 10 Year Factory Warranty Central air diagnostiC speCial Central air tune-up speCial $59 /MONTH OAC* $4,999 * $2,299* $49* *Call for Details $79* *Call for Details For a Free consultation call oakville: 905.842.2022 ToronTo: 416.644.3999 Denied Disabled Benefits? I canhelp. My teamof experienced lawyers can help youwith: •Disability Claims Short-TermDisability, long-TermDisability, CPP •Car accidents •Slip and Falls •Wrongful Dismissal Injured? I don't get paid unless I getYoumoneY. oFFiCeS in oakville and ToronTo eMail: sspadafora@slspc.ca Disability and EmploymEnt law A strike team of Halton paramedics is making house calls to provide CO- VID-19 vaccinations to those who are physically unable to make it to a clinic or pharmacy. Halton Paramedic Ser- vices Director Greg Sage said that during the week- end of April 24, the group of paramedics began admin- istering vaccines to eligible residents who are home- bound either because of ad- vanced age or a chronic health condition. Over the course of those two days, 110 people were vaccinated. "Our initial list of these residents came from the Local Health Integration Network who maintain a list of recipients of chronic home care," said Sage. "They were kind enough to work with us and reach out to all their clients and confirm who was interest- ed in being immunized." Since that time, Sage said the Halton Public Health Department has reached out to all Halton physicians noting if they have patients under their care who are immobile, they can refer them to the Halton Community Para- medic Program. "We'll make arrange- ments to get someone out and immunize them just as soon as we can," said Sage. The paramedic services director said it was initial- ly estimated there were around 1,200 housebound individuals in Halton, but he now says that figure will probably turn out to be lower. "A number of them that we have been reaching out to really pulled out all the stops to get to a clinic and get vaccinated," said Sage. "Obviously you can ap- preciate how important it is for these at-risk individ- uals to be vaccinated." So far, 400 to 500 home- bound people in Halton have been referred for a COVID-19 vaccine house call. Sage said all participat- ing paramedics have been offered a COVID-19 vac- cine. They also have to under- go a screening process be- fore they even enter Halton Region Paramedic Servic- es Headquarters to start their shift, he said. The paramedics who make these house calls will wear a face mask and eye protection during the vac- cination and require the patient to wear a face mask as well. Sage said the patient will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to the paramedic's arrival. The paramedics have reportedly been well re- ceived by the people they are visiting. "Whether it is the recipi- ents of these home visits or the residents in long-term care or retirement homes, the residents -- when we arrive -- are elated," said Sage. "When you talk to the paramedics, I think they'll all convey this is one of the most rewarding things they've ever done in their career. People are over- joyed to see you, they're re- lieved." As of April 27, Sage said his paramedic mobile teams have administered more than 18,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine at long- term care facilities, retire- ment homes, congregate settings like group homes and private dwellings across Halton. For a homebound resi- dent to receive one of these vaccine house calls, their physician must refer them to the Halton Community Paramedic Program. A physician can call 311 to begin this process if they lack the necessary forms. PARAMEDICS VACCINATING HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS A paramedic prepares to administer COVID-19 vaccines to housebound residents. Halton Region photo DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com NEWS